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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 4 · Chapter 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa
4.7.314.7.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.7.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Indrasince 4.7.32inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

इन्द्र उवाच

इदमप्यच्युत विश्वभावनं

वपुरानन्दकरं मनोद‍ृशाम् ।

सुरविद्विट्‌क्षपणैरुदायुधै

र्भुजदण्डैरुपपन्नमष्टभि: ॥ ३२ ॥

indra uvāca

idam apy acyuta viśva-bhāvanaṁ

vapur ānanda-karaṁ mano-dṛśām

sura-vidviṭ-kṣapaṇair udāyudhair

bhuja-daṇḍair upapannam aṣṭabhiḥ

Translation

King Indra said: My dear Lord, Your transcendental form with eight hands and weapons in each of them appears for the welfare of the entire universe, and it is very pleasing to the mind and eyes. In such a form, Your Lordship is always prepared to punish the demons, who are envious of Your devotees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept the Lord’s Wonderful Form and Activities

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu’s eight-handed appearance is as real as His four-handed form. His transcendental form brings pleasure and serves the welfare of the universe.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lifting of Govardhana Hill shows His uncommon power. We should not judge what the Lord can do by the limits of our own abilities.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s activities, pastimes and uncommon features should be accepted as they are, rather than treated as allegories. In this way, even in our present condition, we can understand Him.

Key points from the purport
  • It is generally understood from revealed scriptures that Lord Viṣṇu appears with four hands, but in this particular sacrificial arena Lord Viṣṇu arrived with eight hands.
  • King Indra said, “Even though we are accustomed to see Your four-handed Viṣṇu form, this appearance with eight hands is as real as the four-handed form.”
  • In reply to that statement by Brahmā, King Indra said that even though the transcendental form of the Lord is not perceivable by the material senses, His activities and His transcendental form can be understood.

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

Humiliation and anger → Reconciliation. Relational offense leads to grief and destruction before restoration.

Chapters 1–7 of Canto 4: Dakṣa, Satī and Śiva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Dakṣa

Lord Śiva is pacified, Dakṣa acknowledges his offense, and Lord Viṣṇu accepts the sacrifice.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. indraḥ uvācaKing Indra said
  2. idamthis
  3. apicertainly
  4. acyutaO infallible one
  5. viśva-bhāvanamfor the welfare of the universe
  6. vapuḥtranscendental form
  7. ānanda-karama cause of pleasure
  8. manaḥ-dṛśāmto the mind and the eye
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 4.7

    In this verse: “king”

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

Do I sometimes limit my understanding of the Lord by comparing His abilities with my own?

Practice

Reread Indra’s prayer and spend a minute appreciating the Lord’s wonderful form and protection of His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 4.7's connections

Live this todayAccept the Lord’s Wonderful Form and ActivitiesThis 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 4.7.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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