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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
3.17.183.17.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

चक्रे हिरण्यकशिपुर्दोर्भ्यां ब्रह्मवरेण च ।

वशे सपालाँल्लोकांस्त्रीनकुतोमृत्युरुद्धत: ॥ १९ ॥

cakre hiraṇyakaśipur

dorbhyāṁ brahma-vareṇa ca

vaśe sa-pālāḻ lokāṁs trīn

akuto-mṛtyur uddhataḥ

Translation

The elder child, Hiraṇyakaśipu, was unafraid of death from anyone within the three worlds because he received a benediction from Lord Brahmā. He was proud and puffed up due to this benediction and was able to bring all three planetary systems under his control.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Power Cannot Make Life Eternal

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu became proud of Brahmā’s benediction and brought the three planetary systems under his control. Yet even Brahmā cannot grant actual immortality.

  2. 2

    The Lord intended to appear Himself to kill Hiraṇyakaśipu. Even such a powerful person could not live beyond his destined duration of life.

  3. 3

    Material advancement cannot remove birth, death, old age and disease. Neither life nor conquered possessions can be kept forever.

Key points from the purport
  • As will be revealed in later chapters, Hiraṇyakaśipu underwent severe austerity and penance to satisfy Brahmā and thus receive a benediction of immortality.
  • Actually, it is impossible even for Lord Brahmā to give anyone the benediction of becoming immortal, but indirectly Hiraṇyakaśipu received the benediction that no one within this material world would be able to kill him.
  • One may become as strong and puffed up as Hiraṇyakaśipu and bring under his control all the three worlds, but there is no possibility of continuing life eternally or keeping the conquered booty forever.

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. cakremade
  2. hiraṇyakaśipuḥHiraṇyakaśipu
  3. dorbhyāmby his two arms
  4. brahma-vareṇaby the benediction of Brahmā
  5. caand
  6. vaśeunder his control
  7. sa-pālānalong with their protectors
  8. lokānthe worlds
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “proud”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “child”

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 expecting lasting security from power, knowledge or possessions?

Practice

Choose one possession you feel proud of and quietly remind yourself that you cannot keep it forever.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.17's connections

Live this todayMaterial Power Cannot Make Life EternalThis 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 3.17.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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