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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
7.10.197.10.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.10.20

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 7.10.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

सर्वात्मना न हिंसन्ति भूतग्रामेषु किञ्चन ।

उच्चावचेषु दैत्येन्द्र मद्भ‍ावविगतस्पृहा: ॥ २० ॥

sarvātmanā na hiṁsanti

bhūta-grāmeṣu kiñcana

uccāvaceṣu daityendra

mad-bhāva-vigata-spṛhāḥ

Translation

My dear Prahlāda, King of the Daityas, because of being attached to devotional service to Me, My devotee does not distinguish between lower and higher living entities. In all respects, he is never jealous of anyone.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Leaves No Room for Jealousy

  1. 1

    The Lord describes His devotee as attached to devotional service to Him. This devotion shapes how the devotee regards other living entities.

  2. 2

    The devotee does not distinguish between lower and higher living entities.

  3. 3

    In all respects, the devotee is never jealous of anyone. This freedom from jealousy is connected with devotion to the Lord.

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:

He said: “If anyone engaged in the devotional service of the Lord prays for personal sense gratification, he cannot be called a pure devotee or even a devotee. He may be called only a merchant engaged in the business of give and take.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarva-ātmanāin all respects, even in the modes of anger and jealousy
  2. nanever
  3. hiṁsantithey are envious
  4. bhūta-grāmeṣuamong all species of life
  5. kiñcanatoward any one of them
  6. ucca-avaceṣuthe lower and higher living entities
  7. daitya-indraO my dear Prahlāda, King of the Daityas
  8. mat-bhāvabecause of devotional service unto Me
  9. vigatagiven up
  10. spṛhāḥall material modes of anger and greed
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: “attached”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.10

    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 comparisons with others interfere with my devotional service?

Practice

If jealousy arises today, set aside the comparison and turn your attention to one small act of service to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Leaves No Room for JealousyThis 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 7.10.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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