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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
12.11.2612.11.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 12.11.27-28

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 12.11.27-28inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

श्रीशौनक उवाच

शुको यदाह भगवान् विष्णुराताय श‍ृण्वते ।

सौरो गणो मासि मासि नाना वसति सप्तक: ॥ २७ ॥

तेषां नामानि कर्माणि नियुक्तानामधीश्वरै: ।

ब्रूहि न: श्रद्दधानानां व्यूहं सूर्यात्मनो हरे: ॥ २८ ॥

śrī-śaunaka uvāca

śuko yad āha bhagavān

viṣṇu-rātāya śṛṇvate

sauro gaṇo māsi māsi

nānā vasati saptakaḥ

teṣāṁ nāmāni karmāṇi

niyuktānām adhīśvaraiḥ

brūhi naḥ śraddadhānānāṁ

vyūhaṁ sūryātmano hareḥ

Translation

Śrī Śaunaka said: Please describe to us, who have great faith in your words, the different sets of seven personal features and associates the sun-god exhibits during each month, along with their names and activities. The associates of the sun-god, who serve their lord, are personal expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari in His feature as the presiding deity of the sun.

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.

Hear About the Sun's Connection With Hari

  1. 1

    Śaunaka inquires with great faith about the names and activities of the sun-god and his associates.

  2. 2

    Although the sun is the king of all planets, Śaunaka is especially interested in it as an expansion of Śrī Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Each month has a different sun-god and six associates: a sage, a Yakṣa, a Gandharva, an Apsarā, a Rākṣasa and a Nāga. These associates serve their lord and are personal expansions of Hari in His feature as the presiding deity of the sun.

Key points from the purport
  • Although the sun is the king of all planets, Śrī Śaunaka is specifically interested in this effulgent globe as the expansion of Śrī Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • In the course of the sun’s orbit there are twelve months, and in each month a different sun-god and a different set of his six associates preside.
  • In each of the twelve months beginning from Vaiśākha there are different names for the sun-god himself, the sage, the Yakṣa, the Gandharva, the Apsarā, the Rākṣasa and the Nāga, making a total of seven categories.

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:

To sustain the world, the Personality of Godhead manifests His potency of time as the sun and travels throughout the twelve months, beginning with Caitra, along with twelve sets of personal associates. One who remembers the opulences of the Personality of Godhead Śrī Hari in His form as the sun will become free of his sinful reactions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śaunakaḥ uvācaŚrī Śaunaka said
  2. śukaḥŚukadeva Gosvāmī
  3. yatwhich
  4. āhadescribed
  5. bhagavānthe great sage
  6. viṣṇu-rātāyato King Parīkṣit
  7. śṛṇvatewho was listening
  8. sauraḥof the sun-god
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquires”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “king”

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

How can Śaunaka's interest in Hari guide the questions I ask while studying?

Practice

Reread Śaunaka's request and write one question about the sun's connection with Hari.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear About the Sun's Connection With HariThis 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 12.11.27-28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.