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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
12.11.3412.11.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.35

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.11.29inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

मित्रोऽत्रि: पौरुषेयोऽथ तक्षको मेनका हहा: ।

रथस्वन इति ह्येते शुक्रमासं नयन्त्यमी ॥ ३५ ॥

mitro ’triḥ pauruṣeyo ’tha

takṣako menakā hahāḥ

rathasvana iti hy ete

śukra-māsaṁ nayanty amī

Translation

Mitra as the sun-god, Atri as the sage, Pauruṣeya as the Rākṣasa, Takṣaka as the Nāga, Menakā as the Apsarā, Hāhā as the Gandharva and Rathasvana as the Yakṣa rule the month of Śukra.

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.

Mitra and His Associates Rule Śukra

  1. 1

    Mitra is the sun-god who rules the month of Śukra with six associates.

  2. 2

    Atri serves as the sage, Pauruṣeya as the Rākṣasa and Takṣaka as the Nāga.

  3. 3

    Menakā serves as the Apsarā, Hāhā as the Gandharva and Rathasvana as the Yakṣa.

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:

Sages describe this sun-god in many features according to his different material designations. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mitraḥ atriḥ pauruṣeyaḥMitra, Atri and Pauruṣeya
  2. athaas well
  3. takṣakaḥ menakā hahāḥTakṣaka, Menakā and Hāhā
  4. rathasvanaḥRathasvana
  5. itithus
  6. hiindeed
  7. etethese
  8. śukra-māsamthe month of Śukra (Jyaiṣṭha)
  9. nayantirule
  10. amīthese
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

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

Which names and roles in this description can I recall after a careful reading?

Practice

Read the translation once, then recall Mitra's month and the name of one associate.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 12.11's connections

Live this todayMitra and His Associates Rule ŚukraThis 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 12.11.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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