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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.6.78

Who is speaking and story frame

उदीच्या: सामगा: शिष्या आसन् पञ्चशतानि वै ।

पौष्यञ्ज्यावन्त्ययोश्चापि तांश्च प्राच्यान् प्रचक्षते ॥ ७८ ॥

udīcyāḥ sāma-gāḥ śiṣyā

āsan pañca-śatāni vai

pauṣyañjy-āvantyayoś cāpi

tāṁś ca prācyān pracakṣate

Translation

The five hundred disciples of Pauṣyañji and Āvantya became known as the northern singers of the Sāma Veda, and in later times some of them also became known as eastern singers.

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.

Sāma Veda Singers Receive Regional Names

  1. 1

    Pauṣyañji and Āvantya had five hundred disciples.

  2. 2

    These disciples became known as the northern singers of the Sāma Veda.

  3. 3

    In later times, some of them also became known as eastern singers.

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:

To obtain new mantras of the Yajur Veda, Yājñavalkya worshiped the Supreme Lord in the form of the sun-god. Śrī Sūryadeva subsequently fulfilled his prayer.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. udīcyāḥbelonging to the north
  2. sāma-gāḥthe singer of the Sāma Veda
  3. śiṣyāḥthe disciples
  4. āsanthere were
  5. pañca-śatānifive hundred
  6. vaiindeed
  7. pauṣyañji-āvantyayoḥof Pauṣyañji and Āvantya
  8. caand
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 helps you remember the teachers behind the groups of students described here?

Practice

Write the names Pauṣyañji and Āvantya beside a brief note about their five hundred disciples.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySāma Veda Singers Receive Regional NamesThis 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 12.6.78? Get an answer from the verses themselves.