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

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.24.30

Who is speaking and story frame

ततोऽधस्ताद्रसातले दैतेया दानवा: पणयो नाम निवातकवचा: कालेया हिरण्यपुरवासिन इति विबुधप्रत्यनीका उत्पत्त्या महौजसो महासाहसिनो भगवत: सकललोकानुभावस्य हरेरेव तेजसा प्रतिहतबलावलेपा बिलेशया इव वसन्ति ये वै सरमयेन्द्रदूत्या वाग्भिर्मन्त्रवर्णाभिरिन्द्राद्ब‍िभ्यति ॥ ३० ॥

tato ’dhastād rasātale daiteyā dānavāḥ paṇayo nāma nivāta-kavacāḥ kāleyā hiraṇya-puravāsina iti vibudha-pratyanīkā utpattyā mahaujaso mahā-sāhasino bhagavataḥ sakala-lokānubhāvasya harer eva tejasā pratihata-balāvalepā bileśayā iva vasanti ye vai saramayendra-dūtyā vāgbhir mantra-varṇābhir indrād bibhyati.

Translation

Beneath Mahātala is the planetary system known as Rasātala, which is the abode of the demoniac sons of Diti and Danu. They are called Paṇis, Nivāta-kavacas, Kāleyas and Hiraṇya-puravāsīs [those living in Hiraṇya-pura]. They are all enemies of the demigods, and they reside in holes like snakes. From birth they are extremely powerful and cruel, and although they are proud of their strength, they are always defeated by the Sudarśana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules all the planetary systems. When a female messenger from Indra named Saramā chants a particular curse, the serpentine demons of Mahātala become very afraid of Indra.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Proud Strength Cannot Defeat the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Rasātala lies beneath Mahātala and houses the demoniac sons of Diti and Danu. They are enemies of the demigods, powerful and cruel from birth.

  2. 2

    Although proud of their strength, they are always defeated by the Sudarśana cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules all planetary systems.

  3. 3

    The purport describes their great fight with Indra. After their defeat, Saramā’s chanting of a mantra frightened them, and they took up residence in Rasātala.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said that there was a great fight between these serpentine demons and Indra, the King of heaven.
  • When the defeated demons met the female messenger Saramā, who was chanting a mantra, they became afraid, and therefore they are living in the planet called Rasātala.

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:

Those living in these planets do not become old or diseased, and they are not afraid of death from any cause but the time factor, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the planet Atala, the yawning of a demon has produced three kinds of women, called svairiṇī (independent), kāmiṇī (lusty) and puṁścalī (very easily subdued by men).
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.24
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥ adhastātbelow the planetary system Mahātala
  2. rasātaleon the planet called Rasātala
  3. daiteyāḥthe sons of Diti
  4. dānavāḥthe sons of Danu
  5. paṇayaḥ nāmanamed Paṇis
  6. nivāta-kavacāḥNivāta-kavacas
  7. kāleyāḥKāleyas
  8. hiraṇya-puravāsinaḥHiraṇya-puravāsīs
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “chants”, “chanting”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “afraid”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “proud”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where might pride in my own strength be hiding my dependence on the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Before using one of your abilities today, pause to acknowledge that your strength does not make you supreme.

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Connected stories

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

Live this todayProud Strength Cannot Defeat the Supreme LordThis 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 5.24.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.