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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 7.14.9

Who is speaking and story frame

मृगोष्ट्रखरमर्काखुसरीसृप्खगमक्षिका: ।

आत्मन: पुत्रवत् पश्येत्तैरेषामन्तरं कियत् ॥ ९ ॥

mṛgoṣṭra-khara-markākhu-

sarīsṛp khaga-makṣikāḥ

ātmanaḥ putravat paśyet

tair eṣām antaraṁ kiyat

Translation

One should treat animals such as deer, camels, asses, monkeys, mice, snakes, birds and flies exactly like one’s own son. How little difference there actually is between children and these innocent animals.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Care for Animals Like Your Children

  1. 1

    Animals, like innocent children, are sons of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A Kṛṣṇa conscious householder should not discriminate between children and poor animals.

  2. 2

    Human beings are not the only rightful enjoyers of God's property. Animals also have a claim to the food He provides.

  3. 3

    The purport forbids killing creatures that disturb agricultural production. Even the snake is included in the instruction not to be envious.

Key points from the purport
  • One who is in Kṛṣṇa consciousness understands that there is no difference between the animals and the innocent children in one’s home.
  • Like children, the unintelligent animals are also sons of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore a Kṛṣṇa conscious person, even though a householder, should not discriminate between children and poor animals.
  • Even in the communistic countries the poor animals are killed without consideration, although they also should have the right to take their allotted food with which to live.

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:

A gṛhastha should be very much affectionate toward lower animals, birds and bees, treating them exactly like his own children. A gṛhastha should not indulge in killing animals or birds for sense gratification.
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. mṛgadeer
  2. uṣṭracamels
  3. kharaasses
  4. markamonkeys
  5. ākhumice
  6. sarīsṛpsnakes
  7. khagabirds
  8. makṣikāḥflies
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “children”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “householder”

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

How would my treatment of animals change if I regarded them as children of the Lord?

Practice

Provide suitable food for an animal today, remembering its share in the Lord's gifts.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCare for Animals Like Your ChildrenThis 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 7.14.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.