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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 12.4.34

Who is speaking and story frame

यदैवमेतेन विवेकहेतिना

मायामयाहङ्करणात्मबन्धनम् ।

छित्त्वाच्युतात्मानुभवोऽवतिष्ठते

तमाहुरात्यन्तिकमङ्ग सम्प्लवम् ॥ ३४ ॥

yadaivam etena viveka-hetinā

māyā-mayāhaṅkaraṇātma-bandhanam

chittvācyutātmānubhavo ’vatiṣṭhate

tam āhur ātyantikam aṅga samplavam

Translation

My dear Parīkṣit, when the illusory false ego that binds the soul has been cut off with the sword of discriminating knowledge and one has developed realization of Lord Acyuta, the Supreme Soul, this is called the ātyantika, or ultimate, annihilation of material existence.

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.

Ultimate Annihilation Ends the Soul’s Bondage

  1. 1

    Illusory false ego binds the soul to material existence.

  2. 2

    Discriminating knowledge is compared to a sword that cuts off this bondage. One then develops realization of Lord Acyuta, the Supreme Soul.

  3. 3

    This is called ātyantika, the ultimate annihilation of material existence. The verse describes the ending of bondage and realization of the Supreme Soul.

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:

Material life means subjugation to birth and death, or generation and annihilation. The only boat suitable for crossing the ocean of material existence, which is otherwise impossible to cross, is the boat of submissive hearing of the nectarean pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. evamin this way
  3. etenaby this
  4. vivekaof discrimination
  5. hetināsword
  6. māyā-mayaillusory
  7. ahaṅkaraṇafalse ego
  8. ātmaof the soul
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: “knowledge”

  • 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

How does this description change your understanding of what must end for spiritual freedom?

Practice

Write one sentence distinguishing the bondage of false ego from realization of Lord Acyuta.

Live this todayUltimate Annihilation Ends the Soul’s BondageThis 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 12.4.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.