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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Canto 7 · 15 chapters · 750 verses · 12 stories
The Science of God
This canto explains the Supreme Lord’s equal regard for everyone and tells how He protected Prahlāda Mahārāja and killed Hiraṇyakaśipu. Prahlāda’s life and prayers show that pure devotional service seeks no material reward. Nārada Muni also explains how the social and spiritual orders can guide human life toward service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
What this canto speaks about · the ten subjects
Īśānukathā 191Mukti 172Ūti 138Manvantara 107Poṣaṇa 73Āśraya 43Nirodha 17Visarga 4Sthāna 4Sarga 1
- 1Chapter 1The Supreme Lord Is Equal to EveryoneŚukadeva Gosvāmī explains the Supreme Lord’s impartiality and Śiśupāla’s salvation despite his enmity toward Kṛṣṇa.Mostly Īśānukathā ·48 verses · Parīkṣit asks about the Lord’s impartiality
- 2Chapter 2Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the DemonsHiraṇyakaśipu attacks religious life after his brother’s death, yet teaches his grieving relatives that the soul is eternal.Mostly Ūti ·61 verses · Hiraṇyakaśipu’s anger and words of consolation
- 3Chapter 3Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Plan to Become ImmortalHiraṇyakaśipu’s severe austerities disturb the universe and bring Lord Brahmā before him.Mostly Ūti ·38 verses · Austerity followed by oppression
- 4Chapter 4Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the UniverseHiraṇyakaśipu misuses his benedictions to rule oppressively, while Prahlāda displays exalted devotion.Mostly Ūti ·46 verses · Austerity followed by oppression
- 5Chapter 5Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of HiraṇyakaśipuPrahlāda remains devoted to Lord Viṣṇu despite his teachers’ threats and his father’s attempts to kill him.Mostly Īśānukathā ·57 verses · Prahlāda remains faithful
- 6Chapter 6Prahlāda Instructs His Demoniac SchoolmatesPrahlāda urges his schoolmates to begin devotional service in childhood rather than waste life pursuing material enjoyment.Mostly Ūti ·30 verses · Prahlāda teaches his schoolmates
- 7Chapter 7What Prahlāda Learned in the WombPrahlāda explains how he heard Nārada Muni’s spiritual instructions while still in his mother’s womb.Mostly Mukti ·55 verses · Prahlāda hears within the womb
- 8Chapter 8Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the DemonsLord Nṛsiṁhadeva emerges from a pillar and kills Hiraṇyakaśipu when he threatens Prahlāda.Mostly Īśānukathā ·56 verses · Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva appears
- 9Chapter 9Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with PrayersPrahlāda fearlessly approaches Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and pacifies Him with devotional prayers.Mostly Poṣaṇa ·55 verses · Prahlāda’s fearless prayers
- 10Chapter 10Prahlāda, the Best Among Exalted DevoteesPrahlāda refuses material rewards, performs his father’s funeral ceremonies, and becomes king at the Lord’s command.Mostly Īśānukathā ·70 verses · Prahlāda refuses material rewards
- 11Chapter 11The Perfect Society: Four Social ClassesNārada explains eternal religious principles and the duties of the four social classes.Mostly Manvantara ·35 verses · Yudhiṣṭhira asks about religious life
- 12Chapter 12The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual ClassesNārada describes the spiritual orders, especially student discipline and the austerities of retired life.Mostly Manvantara ·31 verses · Yudhiṣṭhira asks about religious life
- 13Chapter 13The Behavior of a Perfect PersonNārada describes renounced life and recounts Prahlāda’s conversation with a contented saintly person.Mostly Mukti ·46 verses · Prahlāda questions a contented saint
- 14Chapter 14Ideal Family LifeNārada teaches householders to depend on Kṛṣṇa, hear from devotees, and maintain their families without excessive accumulation.Mostly Manvantara ·42 verses · Guidance for household life
- 15Chapter 15Instructions for Civilized Human BeingsNārada explains religious duties, respect for the spiritual master, and human life’s purpose of spiritual understanding.Mostly Mukti ·80 verses · Guidance for household life
Chapter lines and stories are short summaries drawn from the Bhāgavatam's own chapter summaries and translations. Read each chapter in full for the text itself.