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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

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

12.11.17 12.11.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.18

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

भगवान् भगशब्दार्थं लीलाकमलमुद्वहन् ।

धर्मं यशश्च भगवांश्चामरव्यजनेऽभजत् ॥ १८ ॥

bhagavān bhaga-śabdārthaṁ

līlā-kamalam udvahan

dharmaṁ yaśaś ca bhagavāṁś

cāmara-vyajane ’bhajat

Translation

Playfully carrying a lotus, which represents the various opulences designated by the word bhaga, the Supreme Lord accepts service from a pair of cāmara fans, which are religion and fame.

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.

Opulence, Religion, and Fame Serve the Lord

1
The Supreme Lord playfully carries a lotus.
2
His lotus represents the various opulences designated by the word bhaga.
3
The Lord accepts service from a pair of cāmara fans, which represent religion and fame.

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:

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.11

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
bhaga-śabdaof the word bhaga
arthamthe meaning (namely, “opulence”)
līlā-kamalamHis pastime lotus
udvahancarrying
dharmamreligion
yaśaḥfame
caand

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
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.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this picture help me see religion and fame in relation to service to the Lord?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and picture the Lord carrying His lotus while accepting service from the two fans.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOpulence, Religion, and Fame Serve 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 12.11.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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