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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
1.7.511.7.53-54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.52

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.7.49inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

निशम्य भीमगदितं द्रौपद्याश्च चतुर्भुज: ।

आलोक्य वदनं सख्युरिदमाहहसन्निव ॥ ५२ ॥

niśamya bhīma-gaditaṁ

draupadyāś ca catur-bhujaḥ

ālokya vadanaṁ sakhyur

idam āha hasann iva

Translation

Caturbhuja [the four-armed one], or the Personality of Godhead, after hearing the words of Bhīma, Draupadī and others, saw the face of His dear friend Arjuna, and He began to speak as if smiling.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Helps His Perplexed Friend

  1. 1

    Bhīma wanted Aśvatthāmā killed, while Draupadī wanted him saved. Śrīdhara Svāmī explains the Lord’s four arms in relation to restraining both of them.

  2. 2

    The primeval Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa originally displays two arms and exhibits four in His Nārāyaṇa feature. He can manifest many arms whenever needed, so calling Him four-armed involves no contradiction.

  3. 3

    Arjuna was perplexed about what to do. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, his very dear friend, voluntarily took up the matter to provide a solution, speaking as if smiling.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa had two arms, and why He is designated as four-armed is explained by Śrīdhara Svāmī.
  • Originally, the primeval Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa displays only two arms, but in His Nārāyaṇa feature He exhibits four.
  • When Arjuna was perplexed about what to do with Aśvatthāmā, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as the very dear friend of Arjuna, voluntarily took up the matter just to make a solution.

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. niśamyajust after hearing
  2. bhīmaBhīma
  3. gaditamspoken by
  4. draupadyāḥof Draupadī
  5. caand
  6. catuḥ-bhujaḥthe four-handed (Personality of Godhead)
  7. ālokyahaving seen
  8. vadanamthe face
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “saved”

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

What does Kṛṣṇa’s willingness to help Arjuna teach me about His care for His devotees?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly today, reflecting on Kṛṣṇa’s care for His perplexed friend.

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 todayKṛṣṇa Helps His Perplexed FriendThis 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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