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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
12.9.22-2512.9.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.9.26

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.9.7inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तद्दर्शनाद् वीतपरिश्रमो मुदा

प्रोत्फुल्ल‍हृत्पद्मविलोचनाम्बुज: ।

प्रहृष्टरोमाद्भ‍ुतभावशङ्कित:

प्रष्टुं पुरस्तं प्रससार बालकम् ॥ २६ ॥

tad-darśanād vīta-pariśramo mudā

protphulla-hṛt-padma-vilocanāmbujaḥ

prahṛṣṭa-romādbhuta-bhāva-śaṅkitaḥ

praṣṭuṁ puras taṁ prasasāra bālakam

Translation

As Mārkaṇḍeya beheld the child, all his weariness vanished. Indeed, so great was his pleasure that the lotus of his heart, along with his lotus eyes, fully blossomed and the hairs on his body stood on end. Confused as to the identity of the wonderful infant, the sage approached Him.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Seeing the Child Brings Joy

  1. 1

    As Mārkaṇḍeya beheld the child, all his weariness vanished.

  2. 2

    His heart and eyes blossomed with pleasure, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

  3. 3

    Mārkaṇḍeya was unsure of the wonderful infant’s identity. He approached Him because he wanted to ask who He was.

Key points from the purport
  • Mārkaṇḍeya wanted to ask the child about His identity and therefore approached Him.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

Then, seeing that the child on the leaf was actually Śrī Hari, the transcendental Lord situated within his own heart, Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya tried to embrace Him. But at that moment Lord Hari, the master of all mystic power, disappeared.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-darśanātby seeing the child
  2. vītadispelled
  3. pariśramaḥhis weariness
  4. mudāout of pleasure
  5. protphullaexpanded wide
  6. hṛt-padmathe lotus of his heart
  7. vilocana-ambujaḥand his lotus eyes
  8. prahṛṣṭastanding on end
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 12.9

    In this verse: “child”, “infant”, “infant’s”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can Mārkaṇḍeya’s willingness to inquire guide you when you do not understand?

Practice

Reread the description of Mārkaṇḍeya’s joy, then write one sincere question you have about the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeing the Child Brings JoyThis 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 12.9.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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