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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.8.30

Who is speaking and story frame

इतीन्द्रानुचरैर्ब्रह्मन् धर्षितोऽपि महामुनि: ।

यन्नागादहमो भावं न तच्चित्रं महत्सु हि ॥ ३० ॥

itīndrānucarair brahman

dharṣito ’pi mahā-muniḥ

yan nāgād ahamo bhāvaṁ

na tac citraṁ mahatsu hi

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, the followers of Lord Indra had impudently attacked the saintly Mārkaṇḍeya, yet he did not succumb to any influence of false ego. For great souls such tolerance is not at all surprising.

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.

Great Souls Tolerate Without False Ego

  1. 1

    The followers of Lord Indra had impudently attacked the saintly Mārkaṇḍeya.

  2. 2

    Even after this attack, he did not succumb to any influence of false ego.

  3. 3

    Such tolerance is not at all surprising in great souls.

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:

Attaining Your lotus feet is the only auspicious goal for the conditioned souls, and service to You fulfills all their desires. Your pastimes, enacted in the mode of pure goodness, can award everyone salvation from material life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. indra-anucaraiḥby the followers of Indra
  3. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  4. dharṣitaḥimpudently attacked
  5. apialthough
  6. mahā-muniḥthe elevated sage
  7. yatthat
  8. na agāthe did not succumb
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “false ego”

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

When I am provoked, can I respond without making the situation about my wounded pride?

Practice

If someone irritates you today, pause before replying and choose words that do not retaliate.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreat Souls Tolerate Without False EgoThis 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 12.8.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.