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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 6: Mahārāja Parīkṣit Passes Away
12.6.1312.6.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.14

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.6.8inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

हाहाकारो महानासीद् भुवि खे दिक्षु सर्वत: ।

विस्मिता ह्यभवन् सर्वे देवासुरनरादय: ॥ १४ ॥

hāhā-kāro mahān āsīd

bhuvi khe dikṣu sarvataḥ

vismitā hy abhavan sarve

devāsura-narādayaḥ

Translation

There arose a terrible cry of lamentation in all directions on the earth and in the heavens, and all the demigods, demons, human beings and other creatures were astonished.

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.

Lamentation and Astonishment Spread Everywhere

  1. 1

    A terrible cry of lamentation arose in all directions.

  2. 2

    The lamentation extended across the earth and into the heavens.

  3. 3

    Demigods, demons, human beings and other creatures were all astonished.

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 6: Mahārāja Parīkṣit Passes Away

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Seeing this, Bṛhaspati, the son of Aṅgirā Ṛṣi, came and advised Mahārāja Janamejaya that Takṣaka could not be killed because he had drunk the nectar of the demigods. Furthermore, Bṛhaspati said that all living entities must enjoy the fruits of their past activities.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hāhā-kāraḥa cry of lamentation
  2. mahāngreat
  3. āsītthere was
  4. bhuvion the earth
  5. khein the sky
  6. dikṣuin the directions
  7. sarvataḥall about
  8. vismitāḥamazed
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “lamentation”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to you about so many different beings sharing this astonishment?

Practice

Pause for a moment and reflect on the widespread grief described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLamentation and Astonishment Spread EverywhereThis 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 12.6.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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