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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
3.18.213.18.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.18.22-23

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.18.22-23inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ब्रह्मोवाच

एष ते देव देवानामङ्‌घ्रिमूलमुपेयुषाम् ।

विप्राणां सौरभेयीणां भूतानामप्यनागसाम् ॥ २२ ॥

आगस्कृद्भयकृद्दुष्कृदस्मद्राद्धवरोऽसुर: ।

अन्वेषन्नप्रतिरथो लोकानटति कण्टक: ॥ २३ ॥

brahmovāca

eṣa te deva devānām

aṅghri-mūlam upeyuṣām

viprāṇāṁ saurabheyīṇāṁ

bhūtānām apy anāgasām

āgas-kṛd bhaya-kṛd duṣkṛd

asmad-rāddha-varo ’suraḥ

anveṣann apratiratho

lokān aṭati kaṇṭakaḥ

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: My dear Lord, this demon has proved to be a constant pinprick to the demigods, the brāhmaṇas, the cows and innocent persons who are spotless and always dependent upon worshiping Your lotus feet. He has become a source of fear by unnecessarily harassing them. Since he has attained a boon from me, he has become a demon, always searching for a proper combatant, wandering all over the universe for this infamous purpose.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Loving Service, Not Power

  1. 1

    The purport distinguishes suras, or demigods, from asuras, or demons. Demons seek extensive power from the demigods for their sense gratification.

  2. 2

    Such power becomes a cause of trouble for brāhmaṇas, demigods and innocent living entities. The demon described by Brahmā constantly harassed those dependent upon worshiping the Lord’s lotus feet.

  3. 3

    Devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead do not ask favors for sense gratification and refuse even liberation. They are happy simply engaging in the Lord’s transcendental loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • Demons are generally fond of worshiping the demigods, and there are evidences that by such worship they get extensive power for their sense gratification.
  • Demons habitually find fault with the demigods, brāhmaṇas and innocent, to whom they are a constant source of fear.
  • As soon as the boon was offered to him, the demon wanted to touch the very head of Lord Śiva.

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. brahmā uvācaLord Brahmā said
  2. eṣaḥthis demon
  3. teYour
  4. devaO Lord
  5. devānāmto the demigods
  6. aṅghri-mūlamYour feet
  7. upeyuṣāmto those having obtained
  8. viprāṇāmto the brāhmaṇas
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiping”, “devotees”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “favors”

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

Am I seeking personal benefits from worship, or happiness in serving the Lord?

Practice

Offer one prayer today asking only for the opportunity to serve the Lord, rather than for a personal benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Loving Service, Not PowerThis 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 3.18.22-23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.