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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
3.19.233.19.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.19.24

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

विनष्टासु स्वमायासु भूयश्चाव्रज्य केशवम् ।

रुषोपगूहमानोऽमुं दद‍ृशेऽवस्थितं बहि: ॥ २४ ॥

vinaṣṭāsu sva-māyāsu

bhūyaś cāvrajya keśavam

ruṣopagūhamāno ’muṁ

dadṛśe ’vasthitaṁ bahiḥ

Translation

When the demon saw his magic forces dispelled, he once again came into the presence of the Personality of Godhead, Keśava, and, full of rage, tried to embrace Him within his arms to crush Him. But to his great amazement he found the Lord standing outside the circle of his arms.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Cannot Be Measured

  1. 1

    Keśava is a name of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the origin of all incarnations. He exists simultaneously in His different incarnations and expansions.

  2. 2

    The demon thought he could capture the Absolute with his limited arms and material power. Yet no one can capture the Supreme Lord or bring Him under control.

  3. 3

    The Lord is not bound by our measurements. By His inconceivable potency, He can remain with His devotee as the worshipable Deity, while remaining unapproachable through demoniac activities.

Key points from the purport
  • In this verse the Lord is addressed as Keśava because He killed the demon Keśī in the beginning of creation.
  • No one can capture the Supreme Lord or bring Him under his control.
  • The Supreme Lord, Keśava, or the Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is not bound by any measurement of our calculation.

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. vinaṣṭāsuwhen dispelled
  2. sva-māyāsuhis magic forces
  3. bhūyaḥagain
  4. caand
  5. āvrajyaafter coming into the presence
  6. keśavamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  7. ruṣāfull of rage
  8. upagūhamānaḥembracing
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worshipable”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.19

    In this verse: “material”

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 approaching the Lord with devotion, or trying to fit Him within my own limits?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa, acknowledging that He is beyond your calculations and asking to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Cannot Be MeasuredThis 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 3.19.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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