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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 4: The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation
12.4.3112.4.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.4.32

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

यथा घनोऽर्कप्रभवोऽर्कदर्शितो

ह्यर्कांशभूतस्य च चक्षुषस्तम: ।

एवं त्वहं ब्रह्मगुणस्तदीक्षितो

ब्रह्मांशकस्यात्मन आत्मबन्धन: ॥ ३२ ॥

yathā ghano ’rka-prabhavo ’rka-darśito

hy arkāṁśa-bhūtasya ca cakṣuṣas tamaḥ

evaṁ tv ahaṁ brahma-guṇas tad-īkṣito

brahmāṁśakasyātmana ātma-bandhanaḥ

Translation

Although a cloud is a product of the sun and is also made visible by the sun, it nevertheless creates darkness for the viewing eye, which is another partial expansion of the sun. Similarly, material false ego, a particular product of the Absolute Truth made visible by the Absolute Truth, obstructs the individual soul, another partial expansion of the Absolute Truth, from realizing the Absolute Truth.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

False Ego Obstructs Spiritual Vision

  1. 1

    A cloud is produced by the sun and made visible by it, yet it creates darkness for the viewing eye.

  2. 2

    Similarly, material false ego is a product of the Absolute Truth and is made visible by the Absolute Truth.

  3. 3

    The individual soul is a partial expansion of the Absolute Truth. False ego obstructs the soul from realizing that Truth.

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:

He perceives the entire created universe as separate from the Absolute and therefore unreal. That is called the ātyantika, or final, annihilation (liberation).
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yathāas
  2. ghanaḥa cloud
  3. arkaof the sun
  4. prabhavaḥthe product
  5. arkaby the sun
  6. darśitaḥmade visible
  7. hiindeed
  8. arkaof the sun
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: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 12.4

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 12.4

    In this verse: “false ego”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the cloud’s obstruction of sunlight help you understand about false ego?

Practice

Spend one minute reflecting on false ego as a cloud that obstructs realization of the Absolute Truth.

Live this todayFalse Ego Obstructs Spiritual VisionThis 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 12.4.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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