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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 4: The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation
12.4.2412.4.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.4.25

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

बुद्धेर्जागरणं स्वप्न: सुषुप्तिरिति चोच्यते ।

मायामात्रमिदं राजन् नानात्वं प्रत्यगात्मनि ॥ २५ ॥

buddher jāgaraṇaṁ svapnaḥ

suṣuptir iti cocyate

māyā-mātram idaṁ rājan

nānātvaṁ pratyag-ātmani

Translation

The three states of intelligence are called waking consciousness, sleep and deep sleep. But, my dear King, the variegated experiences created for the pure living entity by these different states are nothing more than illusion.

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.

Pure Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Surpasses Material Awareness

  1. 1

    Waking consciousness, sleep and deep sleep are three states of intelligence. Their varied experiences for the pure living entity are nothing more than illusion.

  2. 2

    Pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness exists beyond these material states. In its brilliant presence, illusory material intelligence vanishes just as darkness vanishes before light.

  3. 3

    Pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the constitutional condition of every living entity. The teaching directs our attention beyond changing material awareness toward this pure condition.

Key points from the purport
  • Pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness exists beyond the various stages of material awareness.
  • Just as darkness vanishes in the presence of light, so illusory material intelligence, which is experienced as normal perception, dreaming and deep sleep, completely vanishes in the brilliant presence of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the constitutional condition of every living entity.

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 4: The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This process of transformation causes the living entity to undergo the constant annihilation of birth and death. Those possessed of subtle vision state that all creatures, including Brahmā himself, are always subject to generation and annihilation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. buddheḥof intelligence
  2. jāgaraṇamwaking consciousness
  3. svapnaḥsleep
  4. suṣuptiḥdeep sleep
  5. itithus
  6. caand
  7. ucyateare called
  8. māyā-mātrammerely illusion
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.4

    In this verse: “illusion”, “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.4

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering my constitutional condition change the importance I give to passing experiences?

Practice

Set aside one quiet minute today to turn your attention toward Kṛṣṇa rather than following each passing perception.

Live this todayPure Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Surpasses Material AwarenessThis 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 12.4.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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