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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
12.6.7012.6.72

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.71

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Yājñavalkyasince 12.6.67inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अवनिपतिरिवासाधूनां भयमुदीरयन्नटति परित आशापालैस्तत्र तत्र कमलकोशाञ्जलिभिरुपहृतार्हण: ॥ ७१ ॥

avani-patir ivāsādhūnāṁ bhayam udīrayann aṭati parita āśā-pālais tatra tatra kamala-kośāñjalibhir upahṛtārhaṇaḥ.

Translation

Just like an earthly king, you travel about everywhere spreading fear among the unholy as the powerful deities of the directions offer you in their folded palms lotus flowers and other respectful presentations.

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.

Divine Authority Receives Respect

  1. 1

    The prayer compares the one addressed to an earthly king traveling everywhere.

  2. 2

    His presence spreads fear among the unholy.

  3. 3

    The powerful deities of the directions honor him with folded palms, lotus flowers and other respectful presentations.

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:

When the sage Yājñavalkya was rejected by his spiritual master, he had to give up all the Vedic mantras he had received from him. To obtain new mantras of the Yajur Veda, Yājñavalkya worshiped the Supreme Lord in the form of the sun-god.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. avani-patiḥa king
  2. ivaas
  3. asādhūnāmof the unholy
  4. bhayamfear
  5. udīrayancreating
  6. aṭatitravels about
  7. paritaḥall around
  8. āśā-pālaiḥby the controlling deities of the directions
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

  • 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

What does the respectful conduct of these powerful deities invite you to consider about humility?

Practice

Fold your palms during a prayer today as a simple expression of respect.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDivine Authority Receives RespectThis 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 12.6.71? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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