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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
1.7.271.7.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.28

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 1.7.27inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

न ह्यस्यान्यतमं किञ्चिदस्त्रं प्रत्यवकर्शनम् ।

जह्यस्त्रतेज उन्नद्धमस्त्रज्ञो ह्यस्त्रतेजसा ॥ २८ ॥

na hy asyānyatamaṁ kiñcid

astraṁ pratyavakarśanam

jahy astra-teja unnaddham

astra-jño hy astra-tejasā

Translation

O Arjuna, only another brahmāstra can counteract this weapon. Since you are expert in the military science, subdue this weapon’s glare with the power of your own weapon.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Expertise to Counteract Danger

  1. 1

    Only another brahmāstra could counteract the weapon. Arjuna was instructed to subdue its glare with his own weapon.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that experts in this subtle military science could counteract a brahmāstra.

  3. 3

    The son of Droṇācārya did not know how to counteract the weapon. Arjuna was asked to act because he possessed the needed expertise.

Key points from the purport
  • For the atomic bombs there is no counterweapon to neutralize the effects.
  • But by subtle science the action of a brahmāstra can be counteracted, and those who were expert in the military science in those days could counteract the brahmāstra.
  • The son of Droṇācārya did not know the art of counteracting the weapon, and therefore Arjuna was asked to counteract it by the power of his own weapon.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. hicertainly
  3. asyaof it
  4. anyatamamother
  5. kiñcitanything
  6. astramweapon
  7. praticounter
  8. avakarśanamreactionary
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

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

How can I use a skill I have to help counteract a difficulty rather than increase it?

Practice

Use one skill today to help resolve a small problem for someone.

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 todayUse Expertise to Counteract DangerThis 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.

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