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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
3.17.283.17.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.29

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

स एवमुत्सिक्तमदेन विद्विषा

द‍ृढं प्रलब्धो भगवानपां पति: ।

रोषं समुत्थं शमयन् स्वया धिया

व्यवोचदङ्गोपशमं गता वयम् ॥ २९ ॥

sa evam utsikta-madena vidviṣā

dṛḍhaṁ pralabdho bhagavān apāṁ patiḥ

roṣaṁ samutthaṁ śamayan svayā dhiyā

vyavocad aṅgopaśamaṁ gatā vayam

Translation

Thus mocked by an enemy whose vanity knew no bounds, the worshipful lord of the waters waxed angry, but by dint of his reason he managed to curb the anger that had sprung up in him, and he replied: O dear one, we have now desisted from warfare, having grown too old for combat.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reason Can Restrain Anger

  1. 1

    Varuṇa became angry when mocked by an enemy whose vanity knew no bounds.

  2. 2

    By his reason, he curbed the anger that had arisen. He replied that he had grown too old for combat and had given up warfare.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that warmongering materialists create fighting without reason.

Key points from the purport
  • As we see, warmongering materialists always create fighting without reason.

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. saḥVaruṇa
  2. evamthus
  3. utsiktapuffed up
  4. madenawith vanity
  5. vidviṣāby the enemy
  6. dṛḍhamdeeply
  7. pralabdhaḥmocked
  8. bhagavānworshipful
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “worshipful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialists”

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 can I use reason to keep provocation from becoming a quarrel?

Practice

If provoked today, pause and consider whether a fight is necessary before giving a calm reply.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReason Can Restrain AngerThis 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.

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