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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
3.17.53.17.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.17.6

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

उद्धसत्तडिदम्भोदघटया नष्टभागणे ।

व्योम्नि प्रविष्टतमसा न स्म व्याद‍ृश्यते पदम् ॥ ६ ॥

uddhasat-taḍid-ambhoda-

ghaṭayā naṣṭa-bhāgaṇe

vyomni praviṣṭa-tamasā

na sma vyādṛśyate padam

Translation

The luminaries in the heavens were screened by masses of clouds, in which lightning sometimes flashed as though laughing. Darkness reigned everywhere, and nothing could be seen.

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.

Darkness Covers the Heavens

  1. 1

    Masses of clouds screened the luminaries in the heavens.

  2. 2

    Lightning sometimes flashed within the clouds, described as though it were laughing.

  3. 3

    Darkness reigned everywhere, and nothing could be seen.

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. uddhasatlaughing loudly
  2. taḍitlightning
  3. ambhodaof clouds
  4. ghaṭayāby masses
  5. naṣṭalost
  6. bhā-gaṇethe luminaries
  7. vyomniin the sky
  8. praviṣṭaenveloped
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

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 the contrast between flashing lightning and darkness affect my reading of this scene?

Practice

Read the translation slowly, noticing its descriptions of clouds, lightning and darkness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDarkness Covers the HeavensThis 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 3.17.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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