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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
12.6.7512.6.78

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 12.6.76-77

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.6.73inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सुकर्मा चापि तच्छिष्य: सामवेदतरोर्महान् ।

सहस्रसंहिताभेदं चक्रे साम्नां ततो द्विज ॥ ७६ ॥

हिरण्यनाभ: कौशल्य: पौष्यञ्जिश्च सुकर्मण: ।

शिष्यौ जगृहतुश्चान्य आवन्त्यो ब्रह्मवित्तम: ॥ ७७ ॥

sukarmā cāpi tac-chiṣyaḥ

sāma-veda-taror mahān

sahasra-saṁhitā-bhedaṁ

cakre sāmnāṁ tato dvija

hiraṇyanābhaḥ kauśalyaḥ

pauṣyañjiś ca sukarmaṇaḥ

śiṣyau jagṛhatuś cānya

āvantyo brahma-vittamaḥ

Translation

Sukarmā, another disciple of Jaimini, was a great scholar. He divided the mighty tree of the Sāma Veda into one thousand saṁhitās. Then, O brāhmaṇa, three disciples of Sukarmā — Hiraṇyanābha, the son of Kuśala; Pauṣyañji; and Āvantya, who was very advanced in spiritual realization — took charge of the sāma-mantras.

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.

Disciples Take Charge of Sacred Teachings

  1. 1

    Sukarmā, another disciple of Jaimini, was a great scholar. He divided the mighty tree of the Sāma Veda into one thousand saṁhitās.

  2. 2

    Three disciples of Sukarmā took charge of the sāma-mantras: Hiraṇyanābha, the son of Kuśala; Pauṣyañji; and Āvantya.

  3. 3

    Āvantya is specifically described as very advanced in spiritual realization.

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:

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. When the sage Yājñavalkya was rejected by his spiritual master, he had to give up all the Vedic mantras he had received from him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sukarmāSukarmā
  2. caand
  3. apiindeed
  4. tat-śiṣyaḥthe disciple of Jaimini
  5. sāma-veda-taroḥof the tree of the Sāma Veda
  6. mahānthe great thinker
  7. sahasra-saṁhitāof one thousand collections
  8. bhedama division
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

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 stands out to you about sacred teachings being entrusted to disciples?

Practice

Make a short study note showing Sukarmā and the three disciples who took charge of the sāma-mantras.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDisciples Take Charge of Sacred TeachingsThis 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 12.6.76-77? Get an answer from the verses themselves.