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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
3.17.303.18.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Varuṇasince 3.17.31inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तं वीरमारादभिपद्य विस्मय:

शयिष्यसे वीरशये श्वभिर्वृत: ।

यस्त्वद्विधानामसतां प्रशान्तये

रूपाणि धत्ते सदनुग्रहेच्छया ॥ ३१ ॥

taṁ vīram ārād abhipadya vismayaḥ

śayiṣyase vīra-śaye śvabhir vṛtaḥ

yas tvad-vidhānām asatāṁ praśāntaye

rūpāṇi dhatte sad-anugrahecchayā

Translation

Varuṇa continued: On reaching Him you will be rid of your pride at once and will lie down on the field of battle, surrounded by dogs, for eternal sleep. It is in order to exterminate wicked fellows like you and to show His grace to the virtuous that He assumes His various incarnations like Varāha.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Ends Pride and Shows Grace

  1. 1

    Asuras do not know that their bodies consist of the five elements of material nature. When these bodies fall, they become objects of pastimes for dogs and vultures.

  2. 2

    Varuṇa advised Hiraṇyākṣa to meet Viṣṇu in His boar incarnation. His hankering for aggressive war would be satisfied, but his powerful body would be vanquished and his pride removed.

  3. 3

    The Lord assumes various incarnations, such as Varāha, to exterminate the wicked and show His grace to the virtuous. His appearance is not merely a display of strength; it also expresses His desire to give grace.

Key points from the purport
  • Asuras do not know that their bodies consist of the five elements of material nature and that when they fall they become objects of pastimes for dogs and vultures.
  • Varuṇa advised Hiraṇyākṣa to meet Viṣṇu in His boar incarnation so that his hankering for aggressive war would be satisfied and his powerful body would be vanquished.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Seventeenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Victory of Hiraṇyākṣa Over All the Directions of the Universe.”

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. tamHim
  2. vīramthe great hero
  3. ārātquickly
  4. abhipadyaon reaching
  5. vismayaḥrid of pride
  6. śayiṣyaseyou will lie down
  7. vīraśayeon the battlefield
  8. śvabhiḥby dogs
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.17

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 does remembering the temporary nature of my body help me loosen my pride?

Practice

Today, when you notice pride in your physical strength or appearance, pause and remember that this body consists of material elements and will not last.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Ends Pride and Shows GraceThis 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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