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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 19: The Killing of the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa
3.19.153.19.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.19.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 3.19.10inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तेनेत्थमाहत: क्षत्तर्भगवानादिसूकर: ।

नाकम्पत मनाक् क्‍वापि स्रजा हत इव द्विप: ॥ १६ ॥

tenettham āhataḥ kṣattar

bhagavān ādi-sūkaraḥ

nākampata manāk kvāpi

srajā hata iva dvipaḥ

Translation

Hit in this manner by the demon, O Vidura, the Lord, who had appeared as the first boar, did not feel the least quaking in any part of His body, any more than an elephant would when struck with a wreath of flowers.

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 Fighting Brings Transcendental Bliss

  1. 1

    The Lord did not tremble at the demon’s blow, just as an elephant would not tremble when struck with a wreath of flowers.

  2. 2

    The demon had originally been a servitor in Vaikuṇṭha, and his fight with the Supreme Lord was meant for his liberation.

  3. 3

    The Lord enjoyed the attack like a father enjoying a mock fight with his child. He felt Hiraṇyākṣa’s blows to be like flowers offered in worship.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord enjoyed the striking on His transcendental body, just like a fully grown-up father fighting with his child.
  • Sometimes a father takes pleasure in having a mock fight with his small child, and similarly the Lord felt Hiraṇyākṣa’s striking on His body to be like flowers offered for worship.
  • In other words, the Lord desired to fight in order to enjoy His transcendental bliss; therefore He enjoyed the attack.

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 19: The Killing of the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa

Lord Varāha defeats Hiraṇyākṣa and returns to His abode amid the demigods’ praises.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.19
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tenaby Hiraṇyākṣa
  2. itthamthus
  3. āhataḥstruck
  4. kṣattaḥO Vidura
  5. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. ādi-sūkaraḥthe first boar
  7. na akampatadid not feel quaking
  8. manākeven slightly
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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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.19

    In this verse: “father”, “child”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.19

    In this verse: “worship”

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 father-and-child comparison change your understanding of this fight?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on the purport’s father-and-child comparison and the Lord’s transcendental bliss.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Fighting Brings Transcendental BlissThis 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 3.19.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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