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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 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa
12.11.11-1212.11.14-15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.11.4inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अव्याकृतमनन्ताख्यमासनं यदधिष्ठित: ।

धर्मज्ञानादिभिर्युक्तं सत्त्वं पद्ममिहोच्यते ॥ १३ ॥

avyākṛtam anantākhyam

āsanaṁ yad-adhiṣṭhitaḥ

dharma-jñānādibhir yuktaṁ

sattvaṁ padmam ihocyate

Translation

Ananta, the Lord’s sitting place, is the unmanifest phase of material nature, and the Lord’s lotus throne is the mode of goodness, endowed with religion and knowledge.

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.

The Lord’s Seat and Lotus Throne

  1. 1

    Ananta is described as the Lord’s sitting place.

  2. 2

    This sitting place is the unmanifest phase of material nature.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s lotus throne is the mode of goodness, endowed with religion and knowledge.

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

Further reading

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. avyākṛtamthe unmanifest phase of material creation
  2. ananta-ākhyamknown as Lord Ananta
  3. āsanamHis personal seat
  4. yat-adhiṣṭhitaḥupon which He is sitting
  5. dharma-jñāna-ādibhiḥtogether with religion, knowledge and so on
  6. yuktamconjoined
  7. sattvamin the mode of goodness
  8. padmamHis lotus
  9. ihathereupon
  10. ucyateis said
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “religion”

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 draws my attention in the connection between the lotus throne, goodness, religion and knowledge?

Practice

Spend a minute recalling the Lord’s lotus throne and its association with goodness, religion and knowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Seat and Lotus ThroneThis 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 12.11.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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