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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 9: Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord
12.9.112.9.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.9.2

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 12.9.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

श्रीभगवानुवाच

भो भो ब्रह्मर्षिवर्योऽसि सिद्ध आत्मसमाधिना ।

मयि भक्त्यानपायिन्या तप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

bho bho brahmarṣi-varyo ’si

siddha ātma-samādhinā

mayi bhaktyānapāyinyā

tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Mārkaṇḍeya, you are indeed the best of all learned brāhmaṇas. You have perfected your life by practicing fixed meditation upon the Supreme Soul, as well as by focusing upon Me your undeviating devotional service, your austerities, your study of the Vedas and your strict adherence to regulative principles.

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.

Perfect Life Through Undeviating Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead called Mārkaṇḍeya the best of all learned brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    Mārkaṇḍeya had perfected his life through fixed meditation upon the Supreme Soul and undeviating devotional service.

  3. 3

    His austerities, study of the Vedas and strict adherence to regulative principles were all focused upon the Lord.

How it feels

Terror and bewilderment → Wonder and surrender. Annihilation gives way to a tender divine vision.

Chapters 9–10 of Canto 12: Mārkaṇḍeya witnesses the deluge and divine child. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter describes Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s vision of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s illusory energy. Satisfied by the prayers Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya had offered, the Supreme Lord told him to ask for a benediction, and the sage said he wanted to see the Lord’s illusory energy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. bhoḥ bhoḥdear sage
  3. brahma-ṛṣiof all learned brāhmaṇas
  4. varyaḥthe best
  5. asiyou are
  6. siddhaḥperfect
  7. ātma-samādhināby fixed meditation upon the Self
  8. mayidirected toward Me
3

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 12.9

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.9

    In this verse: “principles”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my study and daily discipline support devotional service to the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to focus your attention on the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPerfect Life Through Undeviating Devotional ServiceThis 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 12.9.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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