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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
12.6.2012.6.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.21

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The intelligent King Janamejaya, hearing these wordssince 12.6.20inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तच्छ्रुत्वाजुहुवुर्विप्रा: सहेन्द्रं तक्षकं मखे ।

तक्षकाशु पतस्वेह सहेन्द्रेण मरुत्वता ॥ २१ ॥

tac chrutvājuhuvur viprāḥ

sahendraṁ takṣakaṁ makhe

takṣakāśu patasveha

sahendreṇa marutvatā

Translation

Hearing this, the priests then chanted this mantra for offering Takṣaka together with Indra as an oblation into the sacrificial fire: O Takṣaka, fall immediately into this fire, together with Indra and his entire host of demigods!

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.

The Priests Call Indra into the Fire

  1. 1

    After hearing the King’s words, the priests chanted a mantra to offer Takṣaka together with Indra into the sacrificial fire.

  2. 2

    The mantra commanded Takṣaka to fall into the fire immediately.

  3. 3

    Its call included Indra and his entire host of demigods. The verse records the priests’ invocation, not its outcome.

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. tatthat
  2. śrutvāhearing
  3. ājuhuvuḥthey performed the ritual of offering oblation
  4. viprāḥthe brāhmaṇa priests
  5. sahaalong with
  6. indramKing Indra
  7. takṣakamthe snake-bird Takṣaka
  8. makheinto the sacrificial fire
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “chanted”, “hearing”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “king’s”

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 do you notice about the number of beings included in the priests’ invocation?

Practice

Read the mantra carefully and list those it calls into the fire, keeping the command distinct from any result.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Priests Call Indra into 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 12.6.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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