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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved
1.8.111.8.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.8.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.8.11inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तर्ह्येवाथ मुनिश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवा: पञ्च सायकान् ।

आत्मनोऽभिमुखान्दीप्तानालक्ष्यास्त्राण्युपाददु: ॥ १२ ॥

tarhy evātha muni-śreṣṭha

pāṇḍavāḥ pañca sāyakān

ātmano ’bhimukhān dīptān

ālakṣyāstrāṇy upādaduḥ

Translation

O foremost among the great thinkers [munis] [Śaunaka], seeing the glaring brahmāstra proceeding towards them, the Pāṇḍavas took up their five respective weapons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Brahmāstra Targets Without Blind Destruction

  1. 1

    Seeing the glaring brahmāstra approaching, the five Pāṇḍavas took up their respective weapons.

  2. 2

    The purport describes the brahmāstra as finer and more effective than atomic weapons. Aśvatthāmā directed it toward the five brothers and their only grandson within Uttarā’s womb.

  3. 3

    Unlike atomic bombs, which harm innocent people indiscriminately, the brahmāstra marks out its target. It proceeds toward that target without harming others.

Key points from the purport
  • The brahmāstras are finer than the nuclear weapons.
  • Aśvatthāmā discharged the brahmāstra simply to kill the Pāṇḍavas, namely the five brothers headed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and their only grandson, who was lying within the womb of Uttarā.
  • Therefore the brahmāstra, more effective and finer than the atomic weapons, was not as blind as the atomic bombs.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Grief → Trust. Violence and bereavement make Kṛṣṇa's protective presence precious.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 1: Postwar anguish, Kuntī and Bhīṣma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved

Kṛṣṇa protects Parīkṣit, Kuntī prays for undivided attraction to Him, and Yudhiṣṭhira grieves.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tarhithen
  2. evaalso
  3. athatherefore
  4. muni-śreṣṭhaO chief amongst the munis
  5. pāṇḍavāḥall the sons of Pāṇḍu
  6. pañcafive
  7. sāyakānweapons
  8. ātmanaḥown selves
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Why is the distinction between targeted action and harm to the innocent important?

Practice

Before taking one action today, pause to consider whether it could unnecessarily harm someone uninvolved.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Brahmāstra Targets Without Blind DestructionThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.8.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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