1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 chapters

12345678910111213

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
12.10.512.10.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.10.6

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Śivasince 12.10.6inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

श्रीभगवानुवाच

नैवेच्छत्याशिष: क्‍वापि ब्रह्मर्षिर्मोक्षमप्युत ।

भक्तिं परां भगवति लब्धवान् पुरुषेऽव्यये ॥ ६ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

naivecchaty āśiṣaḥ kvāpi

brahmarṣir mokṣam apy uta

bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati

labdhavān puruṣe ’vyaye

Translation

Lord Śiva replied: Surely this saintly brāhmaṇa does not desire any benediction, not even liberation itself, for he has attained pure devotional service unto the inexhaustible Personality of Godhead.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Pure Devotion Surpasses Every Reward

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva explains that the saintly brāhmaṇa desires no benediction. Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi is uninterested in any reward available on any planet within the universe.

  2. 2

    He does not desire even liberation, because he has achieved the Supreme Lord Himself.

  3. 3

    He has attained pure devotional service unto the inexhaustible Personality of Godhead. Devotional service, rather than a separate reward, is his fulfillment.

Key points from the purport
  • The words naivecchaty āśiṣaḥ kvāpi indicate that Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi was uninterested in any reward available on any planet within the universe.
  • Nor did he want liberation, for he had achieved the Supreme Lord Himself.

The purport'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

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 uvācathe powerful lord said
  2. nanot
  3. evaindeed
  4. icchatidesires
  5. āśiṣaḥbenedictions
  6. kva apiin any realm
  7. brahma-ṛṣiḥthe saintly brāhmaṇa
  8. mokṣamliberation
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 12.10

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Am I seeking devotional service itself, or mainly hoping for something in return?

Practice

Offer one small act of devotional service today without asking for a reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPure Devotion Surpasses Every RewardThis 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 12.10.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories