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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 18: The Battle Between Lord Boar and the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa
3.18.113.18.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.18.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.18.10inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

त्वं पद्रथानां किल यूथपाधिपो

घटस्व नोऽस्वस्तय आश्वनूह: ।

संस्थाप्य चास्मान् प्रमृजाश्रुस्वकानां

य: स्वां प्रतिज्ञां नातिपिपर्त्यसभ्य: ॥ १२ ॥

tvaṁ pad-rathānāṁ kila yūthapādhipo

ghaṭasva no ’svastaya āśv anūhaḥ

saṁsthāpya cāsmān pramṛjāśru svakānāṁ

yaḥ svāṁ pratijñāṁ nātipiparty asabhyaḥ

Translation

You are supposed to be the commander of many foot soldiers, and now you may take prompt steps to overthrow Us. Give up all your foolish talk and wipe out the cares of your kith and kin by slaying Us. One may be proud, yet he does not deserve a seat in an assembly if he fails to fulfill his promised word.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worldly Power Cannot Overcome the Lord

  1. 1

    A demon may be a great soldier and command many foot soldiers. Yet in the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is powerless and destined to die.

  2. 2

    The Lord challenges the demon not to go away, but to fulfill his promised word to kill Him.

  3. 3

    The Lord says that pride does not make someone worthy of a seat in an assembly if he fails to fulfill his promise.

Key points from the purport
  • A demon may be a great soldier and commander of a large number of infantry, but in the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead he is powerless and is destined to die.
  • The Lord, therefore, challenged the demon not to go away but to fulfill his promised word to kill Him.

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 18: The Battle Between Lord Boar and the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa

Hiraṇyākṣa challenges Lord Varāha, who protects the earth and fights him as Brahmā prays for victory.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.18
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamyou
  2. pad-rathānāmof foot soldiers
  3. kilaindeed
  4. yūthapaof the leaders
  5. adhipaḥthe commander
  6. ghaṭasvatake steps
  7. naḥOur
  8. asvastayefor defeat
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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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “proud”, “pride”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “give up”

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 place more importance on appearing powerful or on keeping my word?

Practice

Review one small promise you have made and take a concrete step toward fulfilling it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorldly Power Cannot Overcome the LordThis 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 3.18.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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