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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 12.8.43

Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣisince 12.8.40inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

नान्यं तवाङ्‌घ्र्युपनयादपवर्गमूर्ते:

क्षेमं जनस्य परितोभिय ईश विद्म: ।

ब्रह्मा बिभेत्यलमतो द्विपरार्धधिष्ण्य:

कालस्य ते किमुत तत्कृतभौतिकानाम् ॥ ४३ ॥

nānyaṁ tavāṅghry-upanayād apavarga-mūrteḥ

kṣemaṁ janasya parito-bhiya īśa vidmaḥ

brahmā bibhety alam ato dvi-parārdha-dhiṣṇyaḥ

kālasya te kim uta tat-kṛta-bhautikānām

Translation

My dear Lord, even Lord Brahmā, who enjoys his exalted position for the entire duration of the universe, fears the passage of time. Then what to speak of those whom Brahmā creates, the conditioned souls. They encounter fearful dangers at every step of their lives. I do not know of any relief from this fear except shelter at Your lotus feet, which are the very form of liberation.

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.

The Lord’s Shelter Relieves Fear

  1. 1

    Even Lord Brahmā fears the passage of time, although his exalted position lasts for the entire duration of the universe.

  2. 2

    The conditioned souls whom Brahmā creates encounter fearful dangers at every step of their lives.

  3. 3

    The prayer identifies no relief from this fear except shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet. His feet are the very form of liberation.

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. na anyamno other
  2. tavaYour
  3. aṅghriof the lotus feet
  4. upanayātthan the attainment
  5. apavarga-mūrteḥwho are liberation personified
  6. kṣemambenefit
  7. janasyafor the person
  8. paritaḥon all sides
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “fears”, “dangers”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 12.8

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 feel afraid, do I remember to seek shelter in the Lord?

Practice

Bring one present fear into a short prayer asking for shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Shelter Relieves FearThis 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 12.8.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.