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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
3.18.143.18.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.18.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.18.13inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

भगवांस्तु गदावेगं विसृष्टं रिपुणोरसि ।

अवञ्चयत्तिरश्चीनो योगारूढ इवान्तकम् ॥ १५ ॥

bhagavāṁs tu gadā-vegaṁ

visṛṣṭaṁ ripuṇorasi

avañcayat tiraścīno

yogārūḍha ivāntakam

Translation

The Lord, however, by moving slightly aside, dodged the violent mace-blow aimed at His breast by the enemy, just as an accomplished yogī would elude death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

By the Lord's Grace, Devotees Serve

  1. 1

    The Lord dodges the violent mace-blow by moving slightly aside. No one can surpass His prowess, and attacking His transcendental body is useless.

  2. 2

    The perfect yogī can overcome a deathblow offered by the laws of nature. By the Lord's grace, advanced transcendentalists can overcome such attacks for His service.

  3. 3

    The Lord exists by His own independent prowess. Devotees also exist for His service, but they do so by His grace.

Key points from the purport
  • The example is given herein that the perfect yogī can overcome a deathblow although it is offered by the laws of nature.
  • Superficially it may be seen that a yogī is attacked by a deathblow, but by the grace of the Lord he can overcome many such attacks for the service of the Lord.
  • As the Lord exists by His own independent prowess, by the grace of the Lord the devotees also exist for His service.

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. bhagavānthe Lord
  2. tuhowever
  3. gadā-vegamthe blow of the mace
  4. visṛṣṭamthrown
  5. ripuṇāby the enemy
  6. urasiat His breast
  7. avañcayatdodged
  8. tiraścīnaḥaside
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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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “death”, “deathblow”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 the strength I have today for the Lord's service?

Practice

Do one small act of devotional service today, remembering your dependence on the Lord's grace.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBy the Lord's Grace, Devotees ServeThis 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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