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

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Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 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 12 · Chapter 10: Lord Śiva and Umā Glorify Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi
12.10.1512.10.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.10.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣisince 12.10.16inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

आह त्वात्मानुभावेन पूर्णकामस्य ते विभो ।

करवाम किमीशान येनेदं निर्वृतं जगत् ॥ १६ ॥

āha tv ātmānubhāvena

pūrṇa-kāmasya te vibho

karavāma kim īśāna

yenedaṁ nirvṛtaṁ jagat

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: O mighty lord, what can I possibly do for you, who are fully satisfied by your own ecstasy? Indeed, by your mercy you satisfy this entire world.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humble Service to the Fully Satisfied

  1. 1

    Mārkaṇḍeya addressed Lord Śiva as a mighty lord. He acknowledged that Lord Śiva was fully satisfied by his own ecstasy.

  2. 2

    The sage humbly asked what he could possibly do for someone already fully satisfied.

  3. 3

    Mārkaṇḍeya praised Lord Śiva’s mercy as the source of satisfaction for the entire world.

How it feels

Terror and bewilderment → Wonder and surrender. Annihilation gives way to a tender divine vision.

Chapters 9–10 of Canto 12: Mārkaṇḍeya witnesses the deluge and divine child. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: Lord Śiva and Umā Glorify Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Coming out of his trance, Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya saw Lord Śiva, the spiritual master of the three worlds, together with Pārvatī, and he worshiped them by offering them obeisances, words of greeting and a sitting place. Then Lord Śiva praised the saintly devotees of the Personality of Godhead and requested Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya to choose whatever benediction he desired.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. āhaMārkaṇḍeya said
  2. tuindeed
  3. ātma-anubhāvenaby your own experience of ecstasy
  4. pūrṇa-kāmasyawho is satisfied in all respects
  5. tefor you
  6. vibhoO mighty one
  7. karavāmaI can do
  8. kimwhat
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 12.10

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 12.10

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Mārkaṇḍeya’s question teach you about humility in service?

Practice

Before one act of service today, pause and ask yourself how you can offer it humbly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumble Service to the Fully SatisfiedThis 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 12.10.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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