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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
12.10.1612.10.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.10.17

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

नम: शिवाय शान्ताय सत्त्वाय प्रमृडाय च ।

रजोजुषेऽथ घोराय नमस्तुभ्यं तमोजुषे ॥ १७ ॥

namaḥ śivāya śāntāya

sattvāya pramṛḍāya ca

rajo-juṣe ’tha ghorāya

namas tubhyaṁ tamo-juṣe

Translation

Again and again I offer my obeisances unto you, O all-auspicious transcendental personality. As the lord of goodness you give pleasure, in contact with the mode of passion you appear most fearful, and you also associate with the mode of ignorance.

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.

Honoring Lord Śiva’s Different Manifestations

  1. 1

    Mārkaṇḍeya repeatedly offered obeisances to Lord Śiva. He addressed him as an all-auspicious transcendental personality.

  2. 2

    As the lord of goodness, Lord Śiva gives pleasure. In contact with the mode of passion, he appears most fearful.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva also associates with the mode of ignorance. Mārkaṇḍeya offered respect while acknowledging these different associations.

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. namaḥobeisances
  2. śivāyato the all-auspicious
  3. śāntāyapeaceful
  4. sattvāyathe personification of material goodness
  5. pramṛḍāyathe giver of pleasure
  6. caand
  7. rajaḥ-juṣeto him who is in contact with the mode of passion
  8. athaalso
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 12.10

    In this verse: “fearful”

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

How does this prayer hold together Lord Śiva’s auspicious nature and his fearful appearance?

Practice

Read this prayer once slowly, noticing each description rather than focusing only on the fearful aspect.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonoring Lord Śiva’s Different ManifestationsThis 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 12.10.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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