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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
12.11.4512.11.47-48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.46

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

द्वादशस्वपि मासेषु देवोऽसौ षड्‌भिरस्य वै ।

चरन् समन्तात्तनुते परत्रेह च सन्मतिम् ॥ ४६ ॥

dvādaśasv api māseṣu

devo ’sau ṣaḍbhir asya vai

caran samantāt tanute

paratreha ca san-matim

Translation

Thus, throughout the twelve months, the lord of the sun travels in all directions with his six types of associates, disseminating among the inhabitants of this universe purity of consciousness for both this life and the next.

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.

The Sun’s Journey Spreads Pure Consciousness

  1. 1

    Throughout the twelve months, the lord of the sun travels in all directions.

  2. 2

    He travels with his six types of associates, spreading purity of consciousness among the inhabitants of the universe.

  3. 3

    This purity of consciousness benefits the inhabitants both in this life and in the next.

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. dvādaśasuin each of the twelve
  2. apiindeed
  3. māseṣumonths
  4. devaḥthe lord
  5. asauthis
  6. ṣaḍbhiḥwith his six types of associates
  7. asyafor the population of this universe
  8. vaicertainly
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

How does the promise of benefit in both this life and the next broaden my concern for pure consciousness?

Practice

Pause today to reread the verse and reflect on purity of consciousness as a benefit worth seeking.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sun’s Journey Spreads Pure ConsciousnessThis 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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