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

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 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 3 · Chapter 17: Victory of Hiraṇyākṣa Over All the Directions of the Universe
3.16.373.17.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.1

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.17.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

निशम्यात्मभुवा गीतं कारणं शङ्कयोज्झिता: ।

तत: सर्वे न्यवर्तन्त त्रिदिवाय दिवौकस: ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

niśamyātma-bhuvā gītaṁ

kāraṇaṁ śaṅkayojjhitāḥ

tataḥ sarve nyavartanta

tridivāya divaukasaḥ

Translation

Śrī Maitreya said: The demigods, the inhabitants of the higher planets, were freed from all fear upon hearing the cause of the darkness explained by Brahmā, who was born from Viṣṇu. Thus they all returned to their respective planets.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Approach Authority When Fear Arises

  1. 1

    Fear exists for every living entity in the material world, even the demigods on the higher planets.

  2. 2

    The demigods approached Brahmā to understand the darkness. After hearing his explanation, they returned home peacefully.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that we should approach authority who can actually explain our difficulty. Arjuna approached Kṛṣṇa when disturbed, and his problem was solved.

Key points from the purport
  • The demigods, who are denizens of higher planets, are also very much afraid of incidents such as the universe’s becoming dark, and so they consulted Brahmā.
  • The fear element exists also in the demigods.
  • The demigods approached Brahmā for the meaning of the disturbance, and after hearing from him they were satisfied and returned home peacefully.

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

Threat and anger → Rescue and wonder. Divine protection appears amid cosmic confrontation.

Chapters 13–19 of Canto 3: Varāha, Jaya and Vijaya, Hiraṇyākṣa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Victory of Hiraṇyākṣa Over All the Directions of the Universe

Terrible omens accompany the demons’ appearance, and Hiraṇyākṣa spreads fear through his strength and pride.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥthe sage Maitreya
  2. uvācasaid
  3. niśamyaupon hearing
  4. ātma-bhuvāby Brahmā
  5. gītamexplanation
  6. kāraṇamthe cause
  7. śaṅkayāfrom fear
  8. ujjhitāḥfreed
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “material”

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

When I am disturbed, do I seek guidance or resist it?

Practice

Write down one concern and seek guidance about it from a trusted spiritual authority.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproach Authority When Fear ArisesThis 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 3.17.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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