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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa

12.10.42 12.11.2-3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 12.11.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

श्रीशौनक उवाच

अथेममर्थं पृच्छामो भवन्तं बहुवित्तमम् ।

समस्ततन्त्रराद्धान्ते भवान् भागवत तत्त्ववित् ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śaunaka uvāca

athemam arthaṁ pṛcchāmo

bhavantaṁ bahu-vittamam

samasta-tantra-rāddhānte

bhavān bhāgavata tattva-vit

Translation

Śrī Śaunaka said: O Sūta, you are the best of learned men and a great devotee of the Supreme Lord. Therefore we now inquire from you about the definitive conclusion of all tantra scriptures.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn From a Devotee of the Lord

1
Śrī Śaunaka approaches Sūta as both a learned man and a great devotee of the Supreme Lord.
2
He asks about the definitive conclusion of all tantra scriptures.
3
His inquiry brings learning and devotion together: he seeks understanding from one devoted to the Lord.

How it feels

Wonder → Benediction and peace. The work closes by exalting hearing and remembering the Lord.

Chapters 11–13 of Canto 12: The Mahāpuruṣa and the glories of Bhāgavatam. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Śrī Sūta first tells Śaunaka Ṛṣi about the material objects through which one can understand the major limbs, the secondary limbs, the weapons and the garments of Lord Śrī Hari. Then he outlines the process of practical service by which a mortal soul can attain immortality.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.11

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-śaunakaḥ uvācaŚrī Śaunaka said
athanow
imamthis
arthammatter
pṛcchāmaḥwe are inquiring about
bhavantamfrom you
bahu-vit-tamamthe possessor of the broadest knowledge
samastaof all

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
Jñāna · Spiritual insight
Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 12.11
In this verse: “inquire”, “inquiry”, “understanding”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 12.11
In this verse: “devotee”, “devotion”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring both respect and eagerness to my study of the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Write down one sincere question you would like to ask a learned devotee.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn From a Devotee of the LordThis 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 12.11.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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