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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 3: The Bhūmi-gītā
12.3.1412.3.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.3.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्तूत्तम:श्लोकगुणानुवाद:

सङ्गीयतेऽभीक्ष्णममङ्गलघ्न: ।

तमेव नित्यं श‍ृणुयादभीक्ष्णं

कृष्णेऽमलां भक्तिमभीप्समान: ॥ १५ ॥

yas tūttamaḥ-śloka-guṇānuvādaḥ

saṅgīyate ’bhīkṣṇam amaṅgala-ghnaḥ

tam eva nityaṁ śṛṇuyād abhīkṣṇaṁ

kṛṣṇe ’malāṁ bhaktim abhīpsamānaḥ

Translation

The person who desires pure devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa should hear the narrations of Lord Uttamaḥśloka’s glorious qualities, the constant chanting of which destroys everything inauspicious. The devotee should engage in such listening in regular daily assemblies and should also continue his hearing throughout the day.

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.

Hear About Kṛṣṇa Daily and Remember Constantly

  1. 1

    One who desires pure devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa should hear narrations of His glorious qualities. Constant chanting of these qualities destroys everything inauspicious.

  2. 2

    Any topic related to Lord Kṛṣṇa is auspicious and transcendental. Direct narration of His own activities is therefore the supreme subject for hearing.

  3. 3

    Hearing should take place in regular daily assemblies and continue throughout the day. Nityam indicates regulated cultivation of Kṛṣṇa’s topics, while abhīkṣṇam indicates constant remembrance of those spiritual experiences.

Key points from the purport
  • Since any topic related to Lord Kṛṣṇa is auspicious and transcendental, the direct narration of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s own activities, political and nonpolitical, is certainly the supreme subject matter for hearing.
  • The word nityam here indicates regulated cultivation of the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and abhīkṣṇam indicates constant remembrance of such regulated spiritual experiences.

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

Civilizational dread → Dispassion. Social and cosmic impermanence expose the limits of worldly plans.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 12: The deterioration of Kali and universal dissolution. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: The Bhūmi-gītā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Ultimately, the highest goal of life for any living entity is pure devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa, which annihilates all inauspiciousness. In the age of Satya, religion was complete, still possessing its four legs of truth, mercy, austerity and charity.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwhich
  2. tuon the other hand
  3. uttamaḥ-ślokaof the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is praised in transcendental verses
  4. guṇaof the qualities
  5. anuvādaḥthe recounting
  6. saṅgīyateis sung
  7. abhīkṣṇamalways
  8. amaṅgala-ghnaḥwhich destroys everything inauspicious
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”, “narrations”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

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 I make hearing about Kṛṣṇa a regular practice rather than an occasional activity?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to hear about Lord Kṛṣṇa’s qualities, then recall one of those qualities later in the day.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear About Kṛṣṇa Daily and Remember ConstantlyThis 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 12.3.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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