1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 chapters

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 · Texts 12.8.18-20

Who is speaking and story frame

तदाश्रमपदं पुण्यं पुण्यद्रुमलताञ्चितम् ।

पुण्यद्विजकुलाकीर्णं पुण्यामलजलाशयम् ॥ १८ ॥

मत्तभ्रमरसङ्गीतं मत्तकोकिलकूजितम् ।

मत्तबर्हिनटाटोपं मत्तद्विजकुलाकुलम् ॥ १९ ॥

वायु: प्रविष्ट आदाय हिमनिर्झरशीकरान् ।

सुमनोभि: परिष्वक्तो ववावुत्तम्भयन् स्मरम् ॥ २० ॥

tad-āśrama-padaṁ puṇyaṁ

puṇya-druma-latāñcitam

puṇya-dvija-kulākīrṇaṁ

puṇyāmala-jalāśayam

matta-bhramara-saṅgītaṁ

matta-kokila-kūjitam

matta-barhi-naṭāṭopaṁ

matta-dvija-kulākulam

vāyuḥ praviṣṭa ādāya

hima-nirjhara-śīkarān

sumanobhiḥ pariṣvakto

vavāv uttambhayan smaram

Translation

Groves of pious trees decorated the holy āśrama of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, and many saintly brāhmaṇas lived there, enjoying the abundant pure, sacred ponds. The āśrama resounded with the buzzing of intoxicated bees and the cooing of excited cuckoos, while jubilant peacocks danced about. Indeed, many families of maddened birds crowded that hermitage. The springtime breeze sent by Lord Indra entered there, carrying cooling drops of spray from nearby waterfalls. Fragrant from the embrace of forest flowers, that breeze entered the hermitage and began evoking the lusty spirit of Cupid.

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.

Temptation Enters a Holy Hermitage

  1. 1

    Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s holy āśrama was decorated with pious trees and inhabited by saintly brāhmaṇas. Its ponds were pure and sacred.

  2. 2

    Bees buzzed, cuckoos cooed, and peacocks danced. Many families of birds filled the hermitage.

  3. 3

    The springtime breeze sent by Lord Indra carried cooling spray and the fragrance of flowers. Even in this holy setting, it began evoking the lusty spirit of Cupid.

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

Further reading

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the seventh manvantara, Lord Indra sent Kāmadeva (Cupid) and his associates to interrupt the sage’s austerities. But Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi defeated them by the potency generated from his penance.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathis
  2. āśrama-padamplace of hermitage
  3. puṇyampious
  4. puṇyapious
  5. drumawith trees
  6. latāand creepers
  7. añcitamspecially marked
  8. puṇyapious
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “lusty”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “āśrama”

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

How do pleasant surroundings affect my ability to remain spiritually attentive?

Practice

Notice one sensory attraction today and pause before allowing it to interrupt your spiritual practice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTemptation Enters a Holy HermitageThis 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 12.8.18-20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.