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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

12.11.43 12.11.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.44

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

विष्णुरश्वतरो रम्भा सूर्यवर्चाश्च सत्यजित् ।

विश्वामित्रो मखापेत ऊर्जमासं नयन्त्यमी ॥ ४४ ॥

viṣṇur aśvataro rambhā

sūryavarcāś ca satyajit

viśvāmitro makhāpeta

ūrja-māsaṁ nayanty amī

Translation

Viṣṇu as the sun-god, Aśvatara as the Nāga, Rambhā as the Apsarā, Sūryavarcā as the Gandharva, Satyajit as the Yakṣa, Viśvāmitra as the sage and Makhāpeta as the Rākṣasa rule the month of Ūrja.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ūrja’s Rulers Are Listed in Scripture

1
Viṣṇu serves as the sun-god, Aśvatara as the Nāga and Rambhā as the Apsarā during Ūrja.
2
Sūryavarcā serves as the Gandharva, Satyajit as the Yakṣa, Viśvāmitra as the sage and Makhāpeta as the Rākṣasa.
3
The purport cites the Kūrma Purāṇa, which lists these sun-gods and their associates in divisions.

Key points from the purport

All these sun-gods and their associates are mentioned in divisions in the Kūrma Purāṇa, as follows:

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

viṣṇuḥ aśvataraḥ rambhāViṣṇu, Aśvatara and Rambhā
sūryavarcāḥSūryavarcā
caand
satyajitSatyajit
viśvāmitraḥ makhāpetaḥViśvāmitra and Makhāpeta
ūrja-māsamthe month of Ūrja (Kārttika)
nayantirule
amīthese

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.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the purport’s scriptural list encourage me to study these names attentively?

Practice

Write down the seven roles in the translation and place each name beside its role.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayŪrja’s Rulers Are Listed in ScriptureThis 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.

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