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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
3.17.203.17.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.21

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

तं वीक्ष्य दु:सहजवं रणत्काञ्चननूपुरम् ।

वैजयन्त्या स्रजा जुष्टमंसन्यस्तमहागदम् ॥ २१ ॥

taṁ vīkṣya duḥsaha-javaṁ

raṇat-kāñcana-nūpuram

vaijayantyā srajā juṣṭam

aṁsa-nyasta-mahā-gadam

Translation

Hiraṇyākṣa’s temper was difficult to control. He had anklets of gold tinkling about his feet, he was adorned with a gigantic garland, and he rested his huge mace on one of his shoulders.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Splendor Alongside an Uncontrolled Temper

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyākṣa’s temper was difficult to control.

  2. 2

    Gold anklets tinkled about his feet, and a gigantic garland adorned him.

  3. 3

    He rested a huge mace on one shoulder. His splendid appearance stood alongside his uncontrolled temper.

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. tamhim
  2. vīkṣyahaving seen
  3. duḥsahadifficult to control
  4. javamtemper
  5. raṇattinkling
  6. kāñcanagold
  7. nūpuramanklets
  8. vaijayantyā srajāwith a vaijayantī garland
3

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

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

Do I give more attention to my outward appearance than to controlling my temper?

Practice

Today, pause before speaking whenever you notice your temper rising.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySplendor Alongside an Uncontrolled TemperThis 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 3.17.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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