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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
12.10.1812.10.20-21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.10.19

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 12.10.19inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

श्रीभगवानुवाच

वरं वृणीष्व न: कामं वरदेशा वयं त्रय: ।

अमोघं दर्शनं येषां मर्त्यो यद् विन्दतेऽमृतम् ॥ १९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

varaṁ vṛṇīṣva naḥ kāmaṁ

vara-deśā vayaṁ trayaḥ

amoghaṁ darśanaṁ yeṣāṁ

martyo yad vindate ’mṛtam

Translation

Lord Śiva said: Please ask me for some benediction, since among all givers of benedictions, we three — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and I — are the best. Seeing us never goes in vain, because simply by seeing us a mortal achieves immortality.

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.

A Vision That Never Goes in Vain

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva invited Mārkaṇḍeya to ask him for a benediction.

  2. 2

    He described Brahmā, Viṣṇu and himself as the best among all givers of benedictions.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva declared that seeing them never goes in vain. Simply by seeing them, a mortal achieves immortality.

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:

Then Lord Śiva praised the saintly devotees of the Personality of Godhead and requested Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya to choose whatever benediction he desired. Mārkaṇḍeya begged for unflinching devotion to the Supreme Lord Śrī Hari, to the devotees of the Supreme Lord and to Lord Śiva himself.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācaLord Śiva said
  2. varama benediction
  3. vṛṇīṣvaplease choose
  4. naḥfrom us
  5. kāmamas desired
  6. vara-daof all givers of benedictions
  7. īśāḥthe controlling lords
  8. vayamwe
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

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 the promise of immortality affect what you would consider a valuable benediction?

Practice

Write down one blessing you desire, then reflect on it beside this verse’s promise of immortality.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Vision That Never Goes in VainThis 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.

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