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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
12.6.1812.6.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇassince 12.6.19inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तं गोपायति राजेन्द्र शक्र: शरणमागतम् ।

तेन संस्तम्भित: सर्पस्तस्मान्नाग्नौ पतत्यसौ ॥ १९ ॥

taṁ gopāyati rājendra

śakraḥ śaraṇam āgatam

tena saṁstambhitaḥ sarpas

tasmān nāgnau pataty asau

Translation

The brāhmaṇas replied: O best of kings, the snake Takṣaka has not fallen into the fire because he is being protected by Indra, whom he has approached for shelter. Indra is holding him back from the fire.

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.

Indra Protects Takṣaka from the Fire

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas explained why Takṣaka had not fallen into the fire.

  2. 2

    Takṣaka had approached Indra for shelter and was receiving his protection.

  3. 3

    Indra was holding Takṣaka back from the sacrificial fire.

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:

Even though Takṣaka received protection from Indra, he nevertheless became attracted by the mantras and was about to fall into the fire. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim (Takṣaka)
  2. gopāyatiis hiding
  3. rāja-indraO best of kings
  4. śakraḥLord Indra
  5. śaraṇamfor shelter
  6. āgatamwho has approached
  7. tenaby that Indra
  8. saṁstambhitaḥkept
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “protected”, “protection”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “kings”

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

How does the brāhmaṇas’ explanation clarify what the King could not see?

Practice

Summarize the brāhmaṇas’ explanation in one sentence, without adding motives the verse does not give.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIndra Protects Takṣaka from the FireThis 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 12.6.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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