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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

12.4.40 12.4.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.4.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पुराणसंहितामेतामृषिर्नारायणोऽव्यय: ।

नारदाय पुरा प्राह कृष्णद्वैपायनाय स: ॥ ४१ ॥

purāṇa-saṁhitām etām

ṛṣir nārāyaṇo ’vyayaḥ

nāradāya purā prāha

kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyanāya saḥ

Translation

Long ago this essential anthology of all the Purāṇas was spoken by the infallible Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi to Nārada, who then repeated it to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vedavyāsa.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Scripture Is Faithfully Passed On

1
This scripture is the essential anthology of all the Purāṇas.
2
Long ago, the infallible Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi spoke it to Nārada.
3
Nārada then repeated it to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vedavyāsa.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.4

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

purāṇaof all the Purāṇas
saṁhitāmthe essential compendium
etāmthis
ṛṣiḥthe great sage
nārāyaṇaḥLord Nara-Nārāyaṇa
avyayaḥthe infallible
nāradāyato Nārada Muni
purāpreviously

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does this account of the scripture’s transmission encourage you to value when studying it?

Practice

Write the sequence of speakers given here, beginning with Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.

Live this todayThe Scripture Is Faithfully Passed OnThis 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 12.4.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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