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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
3.17.293.17.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.30

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

पश्यामि नान्यं पुरुषात्पुरातनाद्

य: संयुगे त्वां रणमार्गकोविदम् ।

आराधयिष्यत्यसुरर्षभेहि तं

मनस्विनो यं गृणते भवाद‍ृशा: ॥ ३० ॥

paśyāmi nānyaṁ puruṣāt purātanād

yaḥ saṁyuge tvāṁ raṇa-mārga-kovidam

ārādhayiṣyaty asurarṣabhehi taṁ

manasvino yaṁ gṛṇate bhavādṛśāḥ

Translation

You are so skilled in war that I do not see anyone else but the most ancient person, Lord Viṣṇu, who can give satisfaction in battle to you. Therefore, O chief of the asuras, approach Him, whom even heroes like you mention with praise.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Checks Aggressive Warriors

  1. 1

    Varuṇa said that only the most ancient person, Lord Viṣṇu, could satisfy Hiraṇyākṣa in battle.

  2. 2

    He directed Hiraṇyākṣa to approach Lord Viṣṇu, whom even heroes like him praised.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Lord punishes aggressive materialistic warriors for unnecessarily disturbing world peace. Varuṇa therefore directed Hiraṇyākṣa’s fighting spirit toward Viṣṇu.

Key points from the purport
  • Aggressive materialistic warriors are actually punished by the Supreme Lord for their policy of unnecessarily disturbing world peace.
  • Therefore Varuṇa advised Hiraṇyākṣa that the right course to satisfy his fighting spirit would be to seek to fight with Viṣṇu.

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. paśyāmiI see
  2. nanot
  3. anyamother
  4. puruṣātthan the person
  5. purātanātmost ancient
  6. yaḥwho
  7. saṁyugein battle
  8. tvāmto you
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialistic”

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

Does remembering the Supreme Lord’s authority help me question my urge to quarrel?

Practice

Today, step back from one unnecessary argument and briefly remember Lord Viṣṇu’s supreme authority.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Checks Aggressive WarriorsThis 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 3.17.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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