FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 12.2.36

एतेषां नामलिङ्गानां पुरुषाणां महात्मनाम् । कथामात्रावशिष्टानां कीर्तिरेव स्थिता भुवि ॥ ३६ ॥
eteṣāṁ nāma-liṅgānāṁ
[eteshaam naama-lingaanaam]
puruṣāṇāṁ mahātmanām
[purushaanaam mahaatmanaam]
kathā-mātrāvaśiṣṭānāṁ
[kathaa-maatraavashishtaanaam]
kīrtir eva sthitā bhuvi
[keertir eva sthitaa bhuvi]
Word-for-word
eteṣām — of these nāma — their names liṅgānām — which are the only means of remembering them puruṣāṇām — of the personalities mahā-ātmanām — who were great souls kathā — the stories mātra — merely avaśiṣṭānām — whose remaining portion kīrtiḥ — the glories eva — only sthitā — are present bhuvi — on the earth.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
eteṣāṁ nāma-liṅgānāṁ
eteṣām
of these
nāma
their names
liṅgānām
which are the only means of remembering them
puruṣāṇāṁ mahātmanām
puruṣāṇām
of the personalities
mahā-ātmanām
who were great souls
kathā-mātrāvaśiṣṭānāṁ
kathā
the stories
mātra
merely
avaśiṣṭānām
whose remaining portion
kīrtir eva sthitā bhuvi
kīrtiḥ
the glories
eva
only
sthitā
are present
bhuvi
on the earth.
These personalities, who were great souls, are now known only by their names. They exist only in accounts from the past, and only their fame remains on the earth.
Purport

Although one may consider oneself to be a great, powerful leader, he will ultimately end up as a name in a long list of names. In other words, it is useless to be attached to power and position in the material world.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
These great personalities are now known only by their names and their stories. Thus, only their fame remains on the earth. Of those who are known by names (nāma-liṅgānām) and remaining stories, their glories alone survive.
Personal Guidance
Once-great souls now exist only as names in old accounts. Even fame eventually fades into a single line in a book. Better to do something for Kṛṣṇa — He remembers even small services forever, regardless of whether history does.
Reflection Questions
  • What service of mine would I want Kṛṣṇa to 'remember,' even if no one else did?
  • How does this change what I prioritize today?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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