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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
12.6.2612.6.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.27

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

तस्मात् सत्रमिदं राजन् संस्थीयेताभिचारिकम् ।

सर्पा अनागसो दग्धा जनैर्दिष्टं हि भुज्यते ॥ २७ ॥

tasmāt satram idaṁ rājan

saṁsthīyetābhicārikam

sarpā anāgaso dagdhā

janair diṣṭaṁ hi bhujyate

Translation

Therefore, my dear King, please stop this sacrificial performance, which was initiated with the intent of doing harm to others. Many innocent snakes have already been burned to death. Indeed, all persons must suffer the unforeseen consequences of their past activities.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Stop Actions Intended to Harm

  1. 1

    The King is asked to stop the sacrificial performance because it was initiated with the intent of harming others.

  2. 2

    Many innocent snakes had already been burned to death. The translation also states that people suffer unforeseen consequences of their past activities.

  3. 3

    Bṛhaspati admits that although the snakes appeared innocent, by the Lord’s arrangement they were being punished for previous vicious activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Bṛhaspati here admits that although the snakes appeared to be innocent, by the Lord’s arrangement they were also being punished for previous vicious activities.

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

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:

Janamejaya, the son of Parīkṣit, became very angry when he received news of his father’s death, and he began a sacrificial performance for the purpose of destroying all the snakes. Even though Takṣaka received protection from Indra, he nevertheless became attracted by the mantras and was about to fall into the fire.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. satramsacrifice
  3. idamthis
  4. rājanO King
  5. saṁsthīyetashould be stopped
  6. ābhicārikamdone with intent to harm
  7. sarpāḥthe serpents
  8. anāgasaḥinnocent
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “death”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “king”

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

Is any action I am pursuing motivated by a wish to harm someone?

Practice

Stop one action or withhold one remark today that is intended to hurt another.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStop Actions Intended to HarmThis 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 12.6.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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