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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 18: The Battle Between Lord Boar and the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa
3.18.83.18.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.18.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demonsince 3.18.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

परानुषक्तं तपनीयोपकल्पं

महागदं काञ्चनचित्रदंशम् ।

मर्माण्यभीक्ष्णं प्रतुदन्तं दुरुक्तै:

प्रचण्डमन्यु: प्रहसंस्तं बभाषे ॥ ९ ॥

parānuṣaktaṁ tapanīyopakalpaṁ

mahā-gadaṁ kāñcana-citra-daṁśam

marmāṇy abhīkṣṇaṁ pratudantaṁ duruktaiḥ

pracaṇḍa-manyuḥ prahasaṁs taṁ babhāṣe

Translation

The demon, who had a wealth of ornaments, bangles and beautiful golden armor on his body, chased the Lord from behind with a great mace. The Lord tolerated his piercing ill words, but in order to reply to him, He expressed His terrible anger.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Tolerance Reassures His Devotees

  1. 1

    The Lord could have chastised the demon immediately, but He tolerated his insults while delivering the earth. He then expressed His anger in reply.

  2. 2

    His tolerance showed the demigods that they need not fear demons while performing their duties. The Lord is always present to protect them.

  3. 3

    Materialistic demons accumulate gold and trust in physical strength and popularity. They mistakenly think these can save them from the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s wrath.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord could have chastised the demon immediately while the demon was deriding the Lord with ill words, but the Lord tolerated him to please the demigods and to show that they should not be afraid of demons while discharging their duties.
  • Therefore His toleration was displayed mainly to drive away the fears of the demigods, who should know that the Lord is always present to protect them.
  • Materialistic demons always possess large amounts of gold in various shapes, and they think that a large amount of gold, physical strength and popularity can save them from the wrath of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. parāfrom behind
  2. anuṣaktamwho followed very closely
  3. tapanīya-upakalpamwho had a considerable amount of gold ornaments
  4. mahā-gadamwith a great mace
  5. kāñcanagolden
  6. citrabeautiful
  7. daṁśamarmor
  8. marmāṇithe core of the heart
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “wealth”, “materialistic”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I seeking security—in possessions and approval, or in the Lord’s protection?

Practice

Before carrying out one duty today, pause to remember the Lord’s protection rather than dwelling on others’ disapproval.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Tolerance Reassures His DevoteesThis 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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