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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
12.11.1612.11.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.17

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.11.4inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

मण्डलं देवयजनं दीक्षा संस्कार आत्मन: ।

परिचर्या भगवत आत्मनो दुरितक्षय: ॥ १७ ॥

maṇḍalaṁ deva-yajanaṁ

dīkṣā saṁskāra ātmanaḥ

paricaryā bhagavata

ātmano durita-kṣayaḥ

Translation

The sun globe is the place where the Supreme Lord is worshiped, spiritual initiation is the means of purification for the spirit soul, and rendering devotional service to the Personality of Godhead is the process for eradicating all one’s sinful reactions.

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.

Devotional Service Removes Sinful Reactions

  1. 1

    The sun globe is a place where the Supreme Lord is worshiped. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all effulgence.

  2. 2

    Spiritual initiation is the means of purification for the spirit soul.

  3. 3

    Rendering devotional service to the Personality of Godhead is the process for eradicating all one’s sinful reactions.

Key points from the purport
  • One should meditate on the fiery sun globe as a place where God is worshiped.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all effulgence, and thus it is fitting that He be properly worshiped on the glowing sun.

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

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:

Then he outlines the process of practical service by which a mortal soul can attain immortality. When Śaunaka shows further interest in learning about the expansion of Lord Hari in the form of the sun-god, Sūta replies that Lord Śrī Hari — the indwelling controller of the universe and its original creator — manifests Himself in the form of the demigod of the sun.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maṇḍalamthe sun globe
  2. deva-yajanamthe place where the Supreme Lord is worshiped
  3. dīkṣāspiritual initiation
  4. saṁskāraḥthe process of purification
  5. ātmanaḥfor the spirit soul
  6. paricaryādevotional service
  7. bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
  8. ātmanaḥfor the jīva soul
  9. duritaof sinful reactions
  10. kṣayaḥthe destruction
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 12.11

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worshiped”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “purification”, “sinful”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “spirit soul”

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

Do I see devotional service as a means of genuine purification?

Practice

With your eyes closed, briefly meditate on the sun globe as a place where Lord Kṛṣṇa is worshiped.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Removes Sinful ReactionsThis 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 12.11.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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