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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.
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Canto 12 · Chapter 3: The Bhūmi-gītā
12.3.4612.3.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.3.47

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.3.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यथा हेम्नि स्थितो वह्निर्दुर्वर्णं हन्ति धातुजम् ।

एवमात्मगतो विष्णुर्योगिनामशुभाशयम् ॥ ४७ ॥

yathā hemni sthito vahnir

durvarṇaṁ hanti dhātu-jam

evam ātma-gato viṣṇur

yoginām aśubhāśayam

Translation

Just as fire applied to gold removes any discoloration caused by traces of other metals, Lord Viṣṇu within the heart purifies the minds of the yogīs.

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.

The Lord’s Mercy Purifies the Heart

  1. 1

    Just as fire removes discoloration from gold, Lord Viṣṇu within the heart purifies the minds of the yogīs.

  2. 2

    Actual spiritual advancement comes through the mercy of the Supreme Lord within the heart. It is not directly the result of austerity and meditation.

  3. 3

    Becoming proud in the name of yoga makes one’s spiritual position ridiculous. Spiritual practice calls for humility, not pride in personal effort.

Key points from the purport
  • Although one may practice the mystic yoga system, his actual spiritual advancement is due to the mercy of the Supreme Lord within the heart; it is not directly the result of his austerity and meditation.
  • If one becomes foolishly proud in the name of yoga, his spiritual position becomes ridiculous.

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:

Living entities contaminated by the influence of Kali do not worship the Supreme Lord, Śrī Hari, even though they can be freed from all bondage and easily achieve the supreme destination simply by chanting the glories of His name and taking shelter of Him. But if somehow or other the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes manifest within the hearts of the conditioned souls in Kali-yuga, then all faults of place, time and personality inherent in the age will be destroyed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yathājust as
  2. hemniin gold
  3. sthitaḥsituated
  4. vahniḥfire
  5. durvarṇamthe discoloration
  6. hantidestroys
  7. dhātu-jamdue to the taint of other metals
  8. evamin the same way
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “humility”, “pride”, “proud”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “purifies”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 12.3

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

Do I credit spiritual progress only to my effort, or recognize the Lord’s mercy?

Practice

Before your spiritual practice today, pause and humbly ask Lord Viṣṇu for His purifying mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Purifies the HeartThis 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 12.3.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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