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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 1 · Chapter 7: The Son of Droṇa Punished
1.7.181.7.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.7.12inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

यदाशरणमात्मानमैक्षत श्रान्तवाजिनम् ।

अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो मेने आत्मत्राणं द्विजात्मज: ॥ १९ ॥

yadāśaraṇam ātmānam

aikṣata śrānta-vājinam

astraṁ brahma-śiro mene

ātma-trāṇaṁ dvijātmajaḥ

Translation

When the son of the brāhmaṇa [Aśvatthāmā] saw that his horses were tired, he considered that there was no alternative for protection outside of his using the ultimate weapon, the brahmāstra [nuclear weapon].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Qualification Matters More Than Birth

  1. 1

    The brahmāstra is meant for the ultimate emergency, when there is no alternative. With his horses tired, Aśvatthāmā considers it his only protection.

  2. 2

    A brāhmaṇa is a most intelligent person; the title is not hereditary. Being a brāhmaṇa’s friend or son does not itself establish qualification.

  3. 3

    Aśvatthāmā’s decision is immature. He is therefore deliberately called the son of a brāhmaṇa rather than a qualified brāhmaṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • In the ultimate issue only, when there is no alternative, the nuclear weapon called the brahmāstra is applied.
  • Aśvatthāmā was also formerly called the brahma-bandhu, or the friend of a brāhmaṇa.
  • A friend or son of a brāhmaṇa, when fully qualified, can be called a brāhmaṇa and not otherwise.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Grief → Trust. Violence and bereavement make Kṛṣṇa's protective presence precious.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 1: Postwar anguish, Kuntī and Bhīṣma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: The Son of Droṇa Punished

Vyāsadeva compiles Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; Arjuna captures Aśvatthāmā, and Kṛṣṇa addresses the question of his punishment.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. aśaraṇamwithout being alternatively protected
  3. ātmānamhis own self
  4. aikṣatasaw
  5. śrānta-vājinamthe horses being tired
  6. astramweapon
  7. brahma-śiraḥthe topmost or ultimate (nuclear)
  8. meneapplied
  9. ātma-trāṇamjust to save himself
  10. dvija-ātma-jaḥthe son of a brāhmaṇa.
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “friend”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I rely on a title or connection instead of developing the qualities it requires?

Practice

Before making one consequential decision today, pause and consider the available alternatives.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayQualification Matters More Than BirthThis 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 1.7.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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