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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 5: Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s Final Instructions to Mahārāja Parīkṣit
12.5.812.5.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.5.9

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.5.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवमात्मानमात्मस्थमात्मनैवामृश प्रभो ।

बुद्ध्यानुमानगर्भिण्या वासुदेवानुचिन्तया ॥ ९ ॥

evam ātmānam ātma-stham

ātmanaivāmṛśa prabho

buddhyānumāna-garbhiṇyā

vāsudevānucintayā

Translation

My dear King, by constantly meditating upon the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva, and by applying clear and logical intelligence, you should carefully consider your true self and how it is situated within the material body.

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.

Know Yourself Through Meditation on Vāsudeva

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī asks the King to meditate constantly upon the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva.

  2. 2

    He also asks him to apply clear and logical intelligence.

  3. 3

    With meditation and intelligence, the King should carefully consider his true self and its situation within the material body.

How it feels

Approaching death → Demonstrated fearlessness. Parīkṣit is already a great devotee; his final hearing exemplifies fearlessness for the audience.

Chapters 5–6 of Canto 12: Śukadeva's final instruction and Parīkṣit's passing. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s Final Instructions to Mahārāja Parīkṣit

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Finally, the combination of material modes dissolves, and the body undergoes death, a phenomenon similar to the extinguishing of a lamp. Śukadeva addresses the king, saying, “You should fix yourself in meditation upon Lord Vāsudeva, and thus the bite of the snake-bird will not affect you.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. ātmānamyour true self
  3. ātma-sthamsituated within the bodily covering
  4. ātmanāwith your mind
  5. evaindeed
  6. āmṛśaconsider carefully
  7. prabhoO master of the self (King Parīkṣit)
  8. buddhyāwith intelligence
  9. anumāna-garbhiṇyāconceived by logic
  10. vāsudeva-anucintayāwith meditation upon Lord Vāsudeva
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 12.5

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.5

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can meditation upon Vāsudeva accompany my effort to understand my true self?

Practice

Spend two quiet minutes meditating upon Vāsudeva while considering the distinction between your true self and your bodily covering.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnow Yourself Through Meditation on VāsudevaThis 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 12.5.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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