1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.24.29

Who is speaking and story frame

ततोऽधस्तान्महातले काद्रवेयाणां सर्पाणां नैकशिरसां क्रोधवशो नाम गण: कुहकतक्षककालियसुषेणादिप्रधाना महाभोगवन्त: पतत्‍त्रिराजाधिपते: पुरुषवाहादनवरतमुद्विजमाना: स्वकलत्रापत्यसुहृत्कुटुम्बसङ्गेन क्‍वचित्प्रमत्ता विहरन्ति ॥ २९ ॥

tato ’dhastān mahātale kādraveyāṇāṁ sarpāṇāṁ naika-śirasāṁ krodhavaśo nāma gaṇaḥ kuhaka-takṣaka-kāliya-suṣeṇādi-pradhānā mahā-bhogavantaḥ patattri-rājādhipateḥ puruṣa-vāhād anavaratam udvijamānāḥ sva-kalatrāpatya-suhṛt-kuṭumba-saṅgena kvacit pramattā viharanti.

Translation

The planetary system below Talātala is known as Mahātala. It is the abode of many-hooded snakes, descendants of Kadrū, who are always very angry. The great snakes who are prominent are Kuhaka, Takṣaka, Kāliya and Suṣeṇa. The snakes in Mahātala are always disturbed by fear of Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, but although they are full of anxiety, some of them nevertheless sport with their wives, children, friends and relatives.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Enjoyment Can Conceal Constant Anxiety

  1. 1

    Mahātala is the home of powerful, many-hooded snakes descended from Kadrū. They are always subject to anger.

  2. 2

    These snakes live with their wives and children and consider themselves happy, although they constantly fear Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    The purport describes this as the way of material life. Even in an abominable condition, one may think oneself happy with family, friends and relatives.

Key points from the purport
  • It is stated here that the snakes who live in the planetary system known as Mahātala are very powerful and have many hoods.
  • They live with their wives and children and consider themselves very happy, although they are always full of anxiety because of Garuḍa, who comes there to destroy them.
  • Even if one lives in the most abominable condition, he still thinks himself happy with his wife, children, friends and relatives.

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

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Below Talātala is the planet Mahātala, where there are many snakes with hundreds and thousands of hoods. Below Mahātala is Rasātala, and below that is Pātāla, where the serpent Vasukī lives with his associates.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthe planet Talātala
  2. adhastātbeneath
  3. mahātalein the planet known as Mahātala
  4. kādraveyāṇāmof the descendants of Kadrū
  5. sarpāṇāmwho are big snakes
  6. na eka-śirasāmwho have many hoods
  7. krodha-vaśaḥalways subject to anger
  8. nāmanamed
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “children”

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 my moments of enjoyment hide anxieties that I have not honestly acknowledged?

Practice

Write down one anxiety that remains even when you are enjoying yourself, and acknowledge it without covering it with another distraction.

5

Connected stories

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

Live this todayMaterial Enjoyment Can Conceal Constant AnxietyThis 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 5.24.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.