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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 17: Victory of Hiraṇyākṣa Over All the Directions of the Universe
3.17.143.17.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

दृष्ट्वान्यांश्च महोत्पातानतत्तत्त्वविद: प्रजा: ।

ब्रह्मपुत्रानृते भीता मेनिरे विश्‍वसम्प्लवम् ॥ १५ ॥

dṛṣṭvānyāṁś ca mahotpātān

atat-tattva-vidaḥ prajāḥ

brahma-putrān ṛte bhītā

menire viśva-samplavam

Translation

Marking these and many other omens of evil times, everyone but the four sage sons of Brahmā, who were aware of the fall of Jaya and Vijaya and of their birth as Diti’s sons, was seized with fear. They did not know the secrets of these portents and thought that the dissolution of the universe was at hand.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surrender and Regulation Support Peace

  1. 1

    Everyone except the four sage sons of Brahmā feared that the universe was ending. The sages knew of the fall of Jaya and Vijaya and their birth as Diti’s sons.

  2. 2

    The laws of nature are so stringent that living entities cannot surpass them. Only those fully surrendered to Kṛṣṇa in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be saved.

  3. 3

    The purport connects the disturbances with the birth of demons and stresses regulated family life for social peace. It especially emphasizes the garbhādhāna process for begetting good children.

Key points from the purport
  • We can learn from the description of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that it is because of the birth of two great demons that there were so many natural disturbances.
  • In former days there were only two demons — those born of Diti — yet there were so many disturbances.
  • People are very anxious for peace in the world, but there are so many unwanted children born without the benefit of the garbhādhāna ceremony, just like the demons born from Diti.

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. dṛṣṭvāhaving seen
  2. anyānothers
  3. caand
  4. mahāgreat
  5. utpātānevil omens
  6. a-tat-tattva-vidaḥnot knowing the secret (of the portents)
  7. prajāḥpeople
  8. brahma-putrānthe sons of Brahmā (the four Kumāras)
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “feared”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “saved”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “children”

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

Am I seeking peace while overlooking the need for surrender and regulation in my own life?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to ask Kṛṣṇa for help in surrendering to Him and living responsibly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurrender and Regulation Support PeaceThis 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 3.17.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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