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

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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 7 · Chapter 1: The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone
7.1.347.1.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.1.35

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 7.1.34inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

देहेन्द्रियासुहीनानां वैकुण्ठपुरवासिनाम् ।

देहसम्बन्धसम्बद्धमेतदाख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ ३५ ॥

dehendriyāsu-hīnānāṁ

vaikuṇṭha-pura-vāsinām

deha-sambandha-sambaddham

etad ākhyātum arhasi

Translation

The bodies of the inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha are completely spiritual, having nothing to do with the material body, senses or life air. Therefore, kindly explain how associates of the Personality of Godhead were cursed to descend in material bodies like ordinary persons.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Associates Descend to Serve

  1. 1

    The inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha have completely spiritual bodies. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira therefore turned to Nārada Muni, an authority, for an explanation of their apparent descent.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s associates do not actually fall from Vaikuṇṭha; they descend through spiritual energy to fulfill His desire. Jaya and Vijaya came to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead by fulfilling His desire to fight.

  3. 3

    The purport distinguishes this descent from the fall of impersonalists who lack devotion and neglect the Lord’s lotus feet. Shelter in His service, rather than partial liberation in the Brahman effulgence, is the goal.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore it is to be understood that when Jaya and Vijaya descended to this material world, they came because there was something to be done for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • In other words, these associates of the Lord, Jaya and Vijaya, descended to the material world to serve the Lord by fulfilling His desire to fight.
  • How Jaya and Vijaya came to this material world is explained by Nārada Muni as follows.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 7.1.35 quotesSB 10.2.32

This is stated in the śāstra: “O Lord, the intelligence of those who think themselves liberated but who have no devotion is impure.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Pride and rage → Oppression. The ruler's power intensifies his insecurity.

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

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, therefore, is always transcendental to the influence of the modes of nature, māyā, the Lord’s external energy, which acts in creation and annihilation. Thus all the demons killed by the Supreme Lord attain salvation immediately.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dehaof a material body
  2. indriyamaterial senses
  3. asulife breath
  4. hīnānāmof those devoid
  5. vaikuṇṭha-puraof Vaikuṇṭha
  6. vāsināmof the residents
  7. deha-sambandhain a material body
  8. sambaddhambondage
  9. etatthis
  10. ākhyātum arhasiplease describe
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.1

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.1

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.1

    In this verse: “devotion”

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

Why is taking shelter in the Lord’s service more important than seeking liberation alone?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking to take shelter in the Lord’s devotional service.

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.

The purport quotesSB 10.2.32

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.1's connections

Live this todayThe Lord’s Associates Descend to ServeThis 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 7.1.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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