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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
12.6.4712.6.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 12.6.48-49

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.6.37inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अस्मिन्नप्यन्तरे ब्रह्मन् भगवान्लोकभावन: ।

ब्रह्मेशाद्यैर्लोकपालैर्याचितो धर्मगुप्तये ॥ ४८ ॥

पराशरात् सत्यवत्यामंशांशकलया विभु: ।

अवतीर्णो महाभाग वेदं चक्रे चतुर्विधम् ॥ ४९ ॥

asminn apy antare brahman

bhagavān loka-bhāvanaḥ

brahmeśādyair loka-pālair

yācito dharma-guptaye

parāśarāt satyavatyām

aṁśāṁśa-kalayā vibhuḥ

avatīrṇo mahā-bhāga

vedaṁ cakre catur-vidham

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, in the present age of Vaivasvata Manu, the leaders of the universe, led by Brahmā and Śiva, requested the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the protector of all the worlds, to save the principles of religion. O most fortunate Śaunaka, the almighty Lord, exhibiting a divine spark of a portion of His plenary portion, then appeared in the womb of Satyavatī as the son of Parāśara. In this form, named Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, he divided the one Veda into four.

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 Supreme Lord Appears as Vyāsa

  1. 1

    In the age of Vaivasvata Manu, the universal leaders, led by Brahmā and Śiva, asked the Supreme Personality of Godhead to protect the principles of religion.

  2. 2

    The almighty Lord appeared as the son of Parāśara in the womb of Satyavatī, exhibiting a divine spark of a portion of His plenary portion.

  3. 3

    In this form, named Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, the Supreme Lord divided the one Veda into four.

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:

Using this oṁkāra, Lord Brahmā created the original Vedas and taught them to his sons, Marīci and others, who were all saintly leaders of the brāhmaṇa community. This body of Vedic knowledge was handed down through the disciplic succession of spiritual masters until the end of Dvāpara-yuga, when Lord Vyāsadeva divided it into four parts and instructed various schools of sages in these four saṁhitās.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asminin this
  2. apialso
  3. antarerule of Manu
  4. brahmanO brāhmaṇa (Śaunaka)
  5. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. lokaof the universe
  7. bhāvanaḥthe protector
  8. brahmaby Brahmā
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “religion”, “principles”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protector”, “protect”

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 knowing Vyāsa’s divine identity deepen my respect for his work?

Practice

Before studying today, pause to remember the Supreme Lord’s protection of religious principles through Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Appears as VyāsaThis 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 12.6.48-49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.