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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
12.11.4912.12.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.50

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.11.29inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

एवं ह्यनादिनिधनो भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: ।

कल्पे कल्पे स्वमात्मानं व्यूह्य लोकानवत्यज: ॥ ५० ॥

evaṁ hy anādi-nidhano

bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ

kalpe kalpe svam ātmānaṁ

vyūhya lokān avaty ajaḥ

Translation

For the protection of all the worlds, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari, who is unborn and without beginning or end, thus expands Himself during each day of Brahmā into these specific categories of His personal representations.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hari Expands to Protect All Worlds

  1. 1

    Hari is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is unborn and has neither beginning nor end.

  2. 2

    During each day of Brahmā, He expands Himself into these specific categories of His personal representations.

  3. 3

    Through these expansions, Hari protects all the worlds. The activities described here belong to His arrangement for their protection.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Eleventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa.”

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

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. evamthus
  2. hiindeed
  3. anādiwithout beginning
  4. nidhanaḥor end
  5. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
  6. hariḥLord Hari
  7. īśvaraḥthe supreme controller
  8. kalpe kalpein each day of Brahmā
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “protection”, “protects”

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 can remembering Hari’s protection deepen my desire to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of gratitude to Hari for His protection, expressing your wish to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHari Expands to Protect All WorldsThis 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 12.11.50? Get an answer from the verses themselves.