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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.13.23

Who is speaking and story frame

नामसङ्कीर्तनं यस्य सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।

प्रणामो दु:खशमनस्तं नमामि हरिं परम् ॥ २३ ॥

nāma-saṅkīrtanaṁ yasya

sarva-pāpa praṇāśanam

praṇāmo duḥkha-śamanas

taṁ namāmi hariṁ param

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Hari, the congregational chanting of whose holy names destroys all sinful reactions, and the offering of obeisances unto whom relieves all material suffering.

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.

Chant Hari’s Names and Offer Obeisances

  1. 1

    Congregational chanting of the Supreme Lord Hari’s holy names destroys all sinful reactions.

  2. 2

    Offering obeisances to Him relieves all material suffering. The verse therefore offers Him respectful obeisances.

  3. 3

    The concluding purport expresses gratitude for Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy. His servants regard presenting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as service made possible by that mercy.

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, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Glories of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.”
  • We offer our most respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda and, by his mercy, to the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, to Lord Caitanya and His eternal associates, to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and to the supreme transcendental literature, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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 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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāma-saṅkīrtanamthe congregational chanting of the holy name
  2. yasyaof whom
  3. sarva-pāpaall sins
  4. praṇāśanamwhich destroys
  5. praṇāmaḥthe bowing down
  6. duḥkhamisery
  7. śamanaḥwhich subdues
  8. tamto Him
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 12.13

    In this verse: “chanting”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 12.13

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.13

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring greater respect and gratitude to chanting the Lord’s names and bowing before Him?

Practice

Chant Lord Hari’s holy names with another person today, and offer Him a respectful bow.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChant Hari’s Names and Offer ObeisancesOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 12.13.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.