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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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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

12.11.41 12.11.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.42

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

भग: स्फूर्जोऽरिष्टनेमिरूर्ण आयुश्च पञ्चम: ।

कर्कोटक: पूर्वचित्ति: पुष्यमासं नयन्त्यमी ॥ ४२ ॥

bhagaḥ sphūrjo ’riṣṭanemir

ūrṇa āyuś ca pañcamaḥ

karkoṭakaḥ pūrvacittiḥ

puṣya-māsaṁ nayanty amī

Translation

Bhaga as the sun-god, Sphūrja as the Rākṣasa, Ariṣṭanemi as the Gandharva, Ūrṇa as the Yakṣa, Āyur as the sage, Karkoṭaka as the Nāga and Pūrvacitti as the Apsarā rule the month of Puṣya.

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.

Seven Personalities Rule the Month of Puṣya

1
Bhaga serves as the sun-god for Puṣya, with Sphūrja as the Rākṣasa.
2
Ariṣṭanemi serves as the Gandharva, Ūrṇa as the Yakṣa and Āyur as the sage.
3
Karkoṭaka serves as the Nāga and Pūrvacitti as the Apsarā. All seven rule the month of Puṣya.

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:

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.11