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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.12

Who is speaking and story frame

जह्याद् यदर्थे स्वान्प्राणान्हन्याद्वा पितरं गुरुम् ।

तस्यां स्वत्वं स्‍त्रियां जह्याद्यस्तेन ह्यजितो जित: ॥ १२ ॥

jahyād yad-arthe svān prāṇān

hanyād vā pitaraṁ gurum

tasyāṁ svatvaṁ striyāṁ jahyād

yas tena hy ajito jitaḥ

Translation

One so seriously considers one’s wife to be his own that he sometimes kills himself for her or kills others, including even his parents or his spiritual master or teacher. Therefore if one can give up his attachment to such a wife, he conquers the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never conquered by anyone.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Turn Possessive Attachment Toward Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The feeling that one's wife belongs exclusively to oneself can become so strong that it leads to terrible harm. The verse urges giving up this possessiveness.

  2. 2

    Giving up attachment for the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead pleases Him. Although unconquerable, the Lord comes under the control of such a devotee.

  3. 3

    The purport describes sannyāsa as detachment from one's wife and attachment to Kṛṣṇa. The purpose of detachment is to take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, to give up one’s connection with his wife is extremely difficult, but if one can somehow or other give it up for the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the Lord Himself, although not able to be conquered by anyone, comes very much under the control of the devotee.
  • Why should one not give up his affection for his wife and children and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
  • Householder life means attachment for one’s wife, whereas sannyāsa means detachment from one’s wife and attachment to Kṛṣṇa.

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

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Instructions from family members and society should be accepted superficially, but in essence the gṛhastha should be engaged in occupational duties advised by the spiritual master and śāstra. Specifically a gṛhastha should engage in agricultural activities to earn money.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jahyātone may give up
  2. yat-arthefor whom
  3. svānone’s own
  4. prāṇānlife
  5. hanyātone may kill
  6. vāor
  7. pitaramthe father
  8. gurumthe teacher or spiritual master
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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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “give up”, “detachment”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 does possessive attachment interfere with my taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute asking how one possessive attachment could give way to service to Kṛṣṇa today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTurn Possessive Attachment Toward KṛṣṇaThis 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 7.14.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.