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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
3.17.133.17.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.14

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

ग्रहान् पुण्यतमानन्ये भगणांश्चापि दीपिता: ।

अतिचेरुर्वक्रगत्या युयुधुश्च परस्परम् ॥ १४ ॥

grahān puṇyatamān anye

bhagaṇāṁś cāpi dīpitāḥ

aticerur vakra-gatyā

yuyudhuś ca parasparam

Translation

Ominous planets such as Mars and Saturn shone brighter and surpassed the auspicious ones such as Mercury, Jupiter and Venus as well as a number of lunar mansions. Taking seemingly retrograde courses, the planets came in conflict with one another.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Universe Moves Under Nature’s Modes

  1. 1

    The entire universe moves under the three modes of material nature. Living entities in goodness are called pious.

  2. 2

    Planets also are considered pious or impious. Saturn and Mars are described as impious.

  3. 3

    Brightly shining pious planets are an auspicious sign, whereas brightly shining inauspicious planets are not. Here the ominous planets surpassed the auspicious ones and seemingly came into conflict.

Key points from the purport
  • The entire universe is moving under the three modes of material nature.
  • Those living entities who are in goodness are called the pious species — pious lands, pious trees, etc. It is similar with the planets also; many planets are considered pious, and others are considered impious.
  • When the pious planets shine very brightly, it is an auspicious sign, but when the inauspicious planets shine very brightly, this is not a very good sign.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. grahānplanets
  2. puṇya-tamānmost auspicious
  3. anyeothers (the ominous planets)
  4. bha-gaṇānluminaries
  5. caand
  6. apialso
  7. dīpitāḥilluminating
  8. aticeruḥoverlapped
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • 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

How does this purport broaden my understanding of the influence of material nature?

Practice

Write one sentence summarizing the purport’s teaching about the three modes of material nature.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Universe Moves Under Nature’s ModesThis 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 3.17.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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