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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

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

12.4.42 12.5.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.4.43

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

इमां वक्ष्यत्यसौ सूत ऋषिभ्यो नैमिषालये ।

दीर्घसत्रे कुरुश्रेष्ठ सम्पृष्ट: शौनकादिभि: ॥ ४३ ॥

imāṁ vakṣyaty asau sūta

ṛṣibhyo naimiṣālaye

dīrgha-satre kuru-śreṣṭha

sampṛṣṭaḥ śaunakādibhiḥ

Translation

O best of the Kurus, the same Sūta Gosvāmī who is sitting before us will speak this Bhāgavatam to the sages assembled in the great sacrifice at Naimiṣāraṇya. This he will do when questioned by the members of the assembly, headed by Śaunaka.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Questions Invite the Bhāgavatam’s Recitation

1
Sūta Gosvāmī is sitting before the present assembly and will later speak this same Bhāgavatam.
2
He will speak to the sages assembled for the great sacrifice at Naimiṣāraṇya.
3
His recitation will follow questions from the assembly headed by Śaunaka.

Key points from the purport

Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation.”

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

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.

imāmthis
vakṣyatiwill speak
asaupresent before us
sūtaḥSūta Gosvāmī
ṛṣibhyaḥto the sages
naimiṣa-ālayein the forest of Naimiṣa
dīrgha-satreat the lengthy sacrificial performance
kuru-śreṣṭhaO best of the Kurus
sampṛṣṭaḥquestioned
śaunaka-ādibhiḥby the assembly led by Śaunaka

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
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 12.4
In this verse: “recitation”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What question would help you listen more attentively to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam?

Practice

Write down one sincere question arising from today’s Bhāgavatam reading.

Live this todaySincere Questions Invite the Bhāgavatam’s RecitationThis 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 12.4.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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