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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
12.11.4012.11.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.41

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

अथांशु: कश्यपस्तार्क्ष्य ऋतसेनस्तथोर्वशी ।

विद्युच्छत्रुर्महाशङ्ख: सहोमासं नयन्त्यमी ॥ ४१ ॥

athāṁśuḥ kaśyapas tārkṣya

ṛtasenas tathorvaśī

vidyucchatrur mahāśaṅkhaḥ

saho-māsaṁ nayanty amī

Translation

Aṁśu as the sun-god, Kaśyapa as the sage, Tārkṣya as the Yakṣa, Ṛtasena as the Gandharva, Urvaśī as the Apsarā, Vidyucchatru as the Rākṣasa and Mahāśaṅkha as the Nāga rule the month of Sahas.

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.

Seven Personalities Rule the Month of Sahas

  1. 1

    Aṁśu serves as the sun-god, Kaśyapa as the sage and Tārkṣya as the Yakṣa during Sahas.

  2. 2

    Ṛtasena serves as the Gandharva and Urvaśī as the Apsarā.

  3. 3

    Vidyucchatru serves as the Rākṣasa and Mahāśaṅkha as the Nāga. These seven personalities rule Sahas.

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. athathen
  2. aṁśuḥ kaśyapaḥ tārkṣyaḥAṁśu, Kaśyapa and Tārkṣya
  3. ṛtasenaḥṚtasena
  4. tathāand
  5. urvaśīUrvaśī
  6. vidyucchatruḥ mahāśaṅkhaḥVidyucchatru and Mahāśaṅkha
  7. sahaḥ-māsamthe month of Sahas (Mārgaśīrṣa)
  8. nayantirule
  9. 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

What helps me remember the connection between Aṁśu and the month of Sahas?

Practice

Say the month’s name and its sun-god’s name aloud, then reread the six other names.

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 todaySeven Personalities Rule the Month of SahasThis 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 12.11.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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