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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
7.10.27.10.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.10.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Prahlāda Mahārājasince 7.10.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

भृत्यलक्षणजिज्ञासुर्भक्तं कामेष्वचोदयत् ।

भवान् संसारबीजेषु हृदयग्रन्थिषु प्रभो ॥ ३ ॥

bhṛtya-lakṣaṇa-jijñāsur

bhaktaṁ kāmeṣv acodayat

bhavān saṁsāra-bījeṣu

hṛdaya-granthiṣu prabho

Translation

O my worshipable Lord, because the seed of lusty desires, which is the root cause of material existence, is within the core of everyone’s heart, You have sent me to this material world to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn Devotion Through a Pure Devotee’s Example

  1. 1

    Nitya-siddha devotees come from Vaikuṇṭha under the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By their personal example, they teach others how to become devotees.

  2. 2

    Prahlāda Mahārāja was a nitya-siddha devotee who was never attracted to material enjoyment. His refusal of material benedictions showed the symptoms of a pure devotee.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee comes without any material purpose and shows devotional service through personal behavior. Others can learn from this example and become inclined to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Nitya-siddha devotees come from Vaikuṇṭha to this material world to teach, by their personal example, how to become a devotee.
  • Desiring to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee, the Lord tried to induce Prahlāda Mahārāja to take material benedictions, but Prahlāda Mahārāja did not accept them.
  • A pure devotee, therefore, is a practical example for all living entities, including Lord Brahmā.

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:

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhṛtya-lakṣaṇa-jijñāsuḥdesiring to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee
  2. bhaktamthe devotee
  3. kāmeṣuin the material world, where lusty desires predominate
  4. acodayathas sent
  5. bhavānYour Lordship
  6. saṁsāra-bījeṣuthe root cause of being present in this material world
  7. hṛdaya-granthiṣuwhich (desire for material enjoyment) is in the cores of the hearts of all conditioned souls
  8. prabhoO my worshipable Lord
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lusty”, “material”

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

What can I learn from Prahlāda Mahārāja’s refusal of material rewards?

Practice

Do one small act of devotional service today without seeking a material reward.

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 todayLearn Devotion Through a Pure Devotee’s ExampleThis 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 7.10.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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