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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 19: The Killing of the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa
3.19.13.19.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.19.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.19.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तत: सपत्नं मुखतश्चरन्तमकुतोभयम् ।

जघानोत्पत्य गदया हनावसुरमक्षज: ॥ २ ॥

tataḥ sapatnaṁ mukhataś

carantam akuto-bhayam

jaghānotpatya gadayā

hanāv asuram akṣajaḥ

Translation

The Lord, who had appeared from the nostril of Brahmā, sprang and aimed His mace at the chin of His enemy, the Hiraṇyākṣa demon, who was stalking fearlessly before Him.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Confronts His Enemy

  1. 1

    The Lord had appeared from the nostril of Brahmā.

  2. 2

    Hiraṇyākṣa stalked fearlessly before the Lord.

  3. 3

    The Lord sprang toward His enemy and aimed His mace at the demon’s chin.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. sapatnamenemy
  3. mukhataḥin front of Him
  4. carantamstalking
  5. akutaḥ-bhayamfearlessly
  6. jaghānastruck
  7. utpatyaafter springing up
  8. gadayāwith His mace
3

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 3.19

    In this verse: “fearlessly”

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

What details help me give attentive thought to the Lord’s actions?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, giving your attention to each action of the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Confronts His EnemyThis 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 3.19.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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