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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 13: The Glories of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

12.13.19 12.13.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.13.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.13.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

नमस्तस्मै भगवते वासुदेवाय साक्षिणे ।

य इदं कृपया कस्मै व्याचचक्षे मुमुक्षवे ॥ २० ॥

namas tasmai bhagavate

vāsudevāya sākṣiṇe

ya idam kṛpayā kasmai

vyācacakṣe mumukṣave

Translation

We offer our obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vāsudeva, the all-pervading witness, who mercifully explained this science to Brahmā when he anxiously desired salvation.

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.

Vāsudeva Mercifully Reveals Spiritual Knowledge

1
Lord Vāsudeva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The verse offers obeisances to Him.
2
He is the all-pervading witness.
3
When Brahmā anxiously desired salvation, Lord Vāsudeva mercifully explained this science to him.

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 13: The Glories of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then he offers obeisances to the greatest yogī, Śrī Śukadeva, who is nondifferent from the Absolute Truth. Finally, praying with true devotion, Sūta Gosvāmī offers respects to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Hari, who takes away all misery.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.13

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

namaḥobeisances
tasmaito Him
bhagavatethe Supreme Personality of Godhead
vāsudevāyaLord Vāsudeva
sākṣiṇethe supreme witness
yaḥwho
idamthis
kṛpayāout of mercy

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
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 12.13
In this verse: “mercifully”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the Lord’s mercy toward Brahmā encourage me to seek spiritual understanding?

Practice

Offer a respectful bow to Lord Vāsudeva, remembering His mercy in revealing spiritual knowledge.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVāsudeva Mercifully Reveals Spiritual KnowledgeThis 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 12.13.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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