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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
1.7.371.7.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 1.7.35inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

प्रतिश्रुतं च भवता पाञ्चाल्यै श‍ृण्वतो मम ।

आहरिष्ये शिरस्तस्य यस्ते मानिनि पुत्रहा ॥ ३८ ॥

pratiśrutaṁ ca bhavatā

pāñcālyai śṛṇvato mama

āhariṣye śiras tasya

yas te mānini putra-hā

Translation

Furthermore, I have personally heard you promise Draupadī that you would bring forth the head of the killer of her sons.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember the Weight of a Promise

  1. 1

    The speaker reminds the listener of a promise made to Draupadī.

  2. 2

    The promise was to bring her the head of the killer of her sons.

  3. 3

    The speaker had personally heard the promise. These spoken words are now brought forward for consideration.

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. pratiśrutamit is promised
  2. caand
  3. bhavatāby you
  4. pāñcālyaiunto the daughter of the King of Pāñcāla (Draupadī)
  5. śṛṇvataḥwhich was heard
  6. mamaby Me personally
  7. āhariṣyemust I bring
  8. śiraḥthe head
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “heard”

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 carefully consider what I am committing myself to before making a promise?

Practice

Before making one promise today, pause and consider its consequences.

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 todayRemember the Weight of a PromiseThis 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 1.7.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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