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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
12.6.212.6.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 12.6.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

नात्यद्भ‍ुतमहं मन्ये महतामच्युतात्मनाम् ।

अज्ञेषु तापतप्तेषु भूतेषु यदनुग्रह: ॥ ३ ॥

nāty-adbhutam ahaṁ manye

mahatām acyutātmanām

ajñeṣu tāpa-tapteṣu

bhūteṣu yad anugrahaḥ

Translation

I do not consider it at all amazing that great souls such as yourself, whose minds are always absorbed in the infallible Personality of Godhead, show mercy to the foolish conditioned souls, tormented as we are by the problems of material life.

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.

Great Souls Naturally Show Mercy

  1. 1

    Great souls keep their minds always absorbed in the infallible Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    They show mercy to ignorant conditioned souls tormented by the problems of material life.

  3. 3

    Parīkṣit does not find such mercy surprising; it is natural for great souls.

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:

His ignorance had been dispelled, and by the mercy of Śrī Śukadeva he had gained sight of the supremely auspicious personal form of God, namely the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Hari. As a result, he had cast aside all fear of death.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. ati-adbhutamvery surprising
  3. ahamI
  4. manyethink
  5. mahatāmfor the great souls
  6. acyuta-ātmanāmwhose minds are always absorbed in Lord Kṛṣṇa
  7. ajñeṣuupon the ignorant
  8. tāpaby the distresses of material life
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “mercy”

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 this description of great souls shape your understanding of mercy?

Practice

Offer one small act of kindness to someone facing difficulty today.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreat Souls Naturally Show MercyThis 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 12.6.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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