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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
12.6.412.6.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.5

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 12.6.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

भगवंस्तक्षकादिभ्यो मृत्युभ्यो न बिभेम्यहम् ।

प्रविष्टो ब्रह्म निर्वाणमभयं दर्शितं त्वया ॥ ५ ॥

bhagavaṁs takṣakādibhyo

mṛtyubhyo na bibhemy aham

praviṣṭo brahma nirvāṇam

abhayaṁ darśitaṁ tvayā

Translation

My lord, I now have no fear of Takṣaka or any other living being, or even of repeated deaths, because I have absorbed myself in that purely spiritual Absolute Truth, which you have revealed and which destroys all fear.

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.

Absorption in Truth Removes Fear

  1. 1

    Parīkṣit says he no longer fears Takṣaka or any other living being.

  2. 2

    He is free even from fear of repeated deaths because he has absorbed himself in the purely spiritual Absolute Truth.

  3. 3

    He credits Śukadeva with revealing this Absolute Truth, which destroys all fear.

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:

As a result, he had cast aside all fear of death. Śrī Parīkṣit Mahārāja then begged Śukadeva Gosvāmī to permit him to fix his heart upon the lotus feet of Lord Hari and give up his life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavanmy lord
  2. takṣakafrom the snake-bird Takṣaka
  3. ādibhyaḥor other living entities
  4. mṛtyubhyaḥfrom repeated deaths
  5. na bibhemido not fear
  6. ahamI
  7. praviṣṭaḥhaving entered
  8. brahmathe Absolute Truth
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “deaths”, “fears”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 12.6

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

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 does Parīkṣit's source of fearlessness teach you about where to direct your attention?

Practice

When a fear arises today, pause and recall the spiritual truth described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAbsorption in Truth Removes FearThis 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 12.6.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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