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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 8: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Prayers to Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi
12.8.3012.8.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.8.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.8.6inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

द‍ृष्ट्वा निस्तेजसं कामं सगणं भगवान् स्वराट् ।

श्रुत्वानुभावं ब्रह्मर्षेर्विस्मयं समगात् परम् ॥ ३१ ॥

dṛṣṭvā nistejasaṁ kāmaṁ

sa-gaṇaṁ bhagavān svarāṭ

śrutvānubhāvaṁ brahmarṣer

vismayaṁ samagāt param

Translation

The mighty King Indra was most astonished when he heard of the mystic prowess of the exalted sage Mārkaṇḍeya and saw how Cupid and his associates had become powerless in his presence.

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.

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Spiritual Prowess Astonishes Indra

  1. 1

    Even mighty King Indra was most astonished by Mārkaṇḍeya’s mystic prowess.

  2. 2

    Cupid and his associates had become powerless in the exalted sage’s presence.

  3. 3

    Indra both heard of Mārkaṇḍeya’s influence and saw the powerlessness of Cupid and his associates.

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. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  2. nistejasamdeprived of his power
  3. kāmamCupid
  4. sa-gaṇamalong with his associates
  5. bhagavānthe powerful lord
  6. sva-rāṭKing Indra
  7. śrutvāand hearing
  8. anubhāvamthe influence
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “king”

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 does Indra’s astonishment help you appreciate about Mārkaṇḍeya’s spiritual strength?

Practice

Take a quiet minute to reflect on how Cupid’s power failed before Mārkaṇḍeya.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMārkaṇḍeya’s Spiritual Prowess Astonishes IndraThis 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 12.8.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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