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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 10: Prahlāda, the Best Among Exalted Devotees
7.9.557.10.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.10.1

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.10.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

श्रीनारद उवाच

भक्तियोगस्य तत्सर्वमन्तरायतयार्भक: ।

मन्यमानो हृषीकेशं स्मयमान उवाच ह ॥ १ ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

bhakti-yogasya tat sarvam

antarāyatayārbhakaḥ

manyamāno hṛṣīkeśaṁ

smayamāna uvāca ha

Translation

The saint Nārada Muni continued: Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was only a boy, when he heard the benedictions offered by Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva he considered them impediments on the path of devotional service. Thus he smiled very mildly and spoke as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Possessions for Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Material achievements are not the ultimate goal of devotional service. The ultimate goal is love of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Material opulence can misdirect one from devotional service. A pure devotee, however, engages everything he possesses in the Lord’s service rather than personal sense gratification.

  3. 3

    When possessions are used fully for service, they are considered God’s gifts. They are facilities offered by Kṛṣṇa for enhancing devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Material achievements are not the ultimate goal of devotional service.
  • Therefore although Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja, Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja and many devotee kings were materially very opulent, they accepted their material opulence in the service of the Lord, not for their personal sense gratification.
  • When one is allured by material possessions, they are considered to be given by māyā, but when one uses material possessions fully for service, they are considered God’s gifts, or facilities offered by Kṛṣṇa for enhancing one’s devotional service.

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

Terror and divine fury → Protection and compassion. The crisis resolves through relationship rather than domination.

Chapters 8–10 of Canto 7: Nṛsiṁhadeva appears; Prahlāda pacifies Him. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: Prahlāda, the Best Among Exalted Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva wanted to bestow benedictions upon Prahlāda Mahārāja, one after another, but Prahlāda Mahārāja, thinking them impediments on the path of spiritual progress, did not accept any of them. Instead, he fully surrendered at the Lord’s lotus feet.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-nāradaḥ uvācaNārada Muni said
  2. bhakti-yogasyaof the principles of devotional service
  3. tatthose (blessings or benedictions offered by Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva)
  4. sarvameach and every one of them
  5. antarāyatayābecause of being impediments (on the path of bhakti-yoga)
  6. arbhakaḥPrahlāda Mahārāja, although only a boy
  7. manyamānaḥconsidering
  8. hṛṣīkeśamunto Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.10

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.10

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 7.10

    In this verse: “heard”

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 treating my possessions as opportunities for enjoyment or facilities for serving the Lord?

Practice

Choose one thing you own and use it today for a small act of service to the Lord.

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 7.10's connections

Live this todayUse Possessions for Devotional ServiceThis 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 7.10.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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