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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
12.9.412.9.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.9.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagesince 12.9.4inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

गृहीत्वाजादयो यस्य श्रीमत्पादाब्जदर्शनम् ।

मनसा योगपक्वेन स भवान् मेऽक्षिगोचर: ॥ ५ ॥

gṛhītvājādayo yasya

śrīmat-pādābja-darśanam

manasā yoga-pakvena

sa bhavān me ’kṣi-gocaraḥ

Translation

Such demigods as Lord Brahmā achieved their exalted positions simply by seeing Your beautiful lotus feet after their minds had become mature in yoga practice. And now, my Lord, You have personally appeared before me.

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.

Recognizing the Fortune of Seeing Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Exalted demigods such as Lord Brahmā achieved their positions simply by glimpsing the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Their minds had become mature through yoga practice before they received this sight.

  3. 3

    Mārkaṇḍeya could now see Lord Kṛṣṇa’s entire body. He could not even imagine the extent of his good fortune.

Key points from the purport
  • Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi points out that exalted demigods like Lord Brahmā achieved their positions simply by glimpsing the Lord’s lotus feet, and yet Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi was now able to see Lord Kṛṣṇa’s entire body.
  • Thus he could not even imagine the extent of his good fortune.

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:

The Supreme Lord Śrī Hari, present before Mārkaṇḍeya in the form of Nara-Nārāyaṇa, replied, “So be it,” and then left for Badarikāśrama. One day, as Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya was offering his evening prayers, the water of devastation suddenly flooded the three worlds.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gṛhītvāreceiving
  2. aja-ādayaḥ(became) Brahmā and others
  3. yasyawhose
  4. śrīmatall-opulent
  5. pāda-abjaof the lotus feet
  6. darśanamthe sight
  7. manasāby the mind
  8. yoga-pakvenamatured in yoga practice
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Mārkaṇḍeya’s gratitude help me appreciate the opportunity to turn toward the Lord?

Practice

Pause for a minute to reflect on Mārkaṇḍeya’s gratitude for seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognizing the Fortune of Seeing KṛṣṇaThis 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 12.9.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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