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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 8: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Prayers to Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi

12.8.12 12.8.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.8.13

Mukti· Liberation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.8.6inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

इत्थं बृहद्‌व्रतधरस्तप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ।

दध्यावधोक्षजं योगी ध्वस्तक्लेशान्तरात्मना ॥ १३ ॥

itthaṁ bṛhad-vrata-dharas

tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ

dadhyāv adhokṣajaṁ yogī

dhvasta-kleśāntarātmanā

Translation

In this way the devotional mystic Mārkaṇḍeya maintained rigid celibacy through penance, study of the Vedas and self-discipline. With his mind thus free of all disturbances, he turned it inward and meditated on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who lies beyond the material senses.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Peaceful Mind Meditates on the Lord

1
Mārkaṇḍeya maintained rigid celibacy through penance, study of the Vedas and self-discipline.
2
With his mind free from disturbances, he turned his attention inward.
3
His meditation was directed toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who lies beyond the material senses.

How it feels

Inquiry → Reverence. The transmission of sacred knowledge continues beyond the king's life.

Chapters 7–8 of Canto 12: The Vedic corpus and Mārkaṇḍeya's devotion. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 8: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Prayers to Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Suta Gosvāmī replied that the sage Mārkaṇḍeya, after receiving the purificatory ritual of brahminical initiation from his father, had fixed himself in the vow of lifelong celibacy. He then worshiped the Supreme Lord Hari for six lifetimes of Manu.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.8

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

itthamin this manner
bṛhat-vrata-dharaḥmaintaining the vow of celibacy, brahmacarya
tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥby his austerities, study of the Vedas and regulative principles
dadhyauhe meditated
adhokṣajamupon the transcendental Lord
yogīthe yogī
dhvastadestroyed
kleśaall troubles
antaḥ-ātmanāwith his introspective mind

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
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 12.8
In this verse: “devotional”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.8
In this verse: “material”
Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment
Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 12.8
In this verse: “free from”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What disturbance could I set aside to give the Supreme Personality of Godhead more attentive remembrance?

Practice

Put aside one distraction and spend two quiet minutes remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Peaceful Mind Meditates on the LordThis 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.

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