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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

7.15.9 7.15.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.10

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.15.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

द्रव्ययज्ञैर्यक्ष्यमाणं द‍ृष्ट्वा भूतानि बिभ्यति ।

एष माकरुणो हन्यादतज्ज्ञो ह्यसुतृप्ध्रुवम् ॥ १० ॥

dravya-yajñair yakṣyamāṇaṁ

dṛṣṭvā bhūtāni bibhyati

eṣa mākaruṇo hanyād

ataj-jño hy asu-tṛp dhruvam

Translation

Upon seeing the person engaged in performing the sacrifice, animals meant to be sacrificed are extremely afraid, thinking, “This merciless performer of sacrifices, being ignorant of the purpose of sacrifice and being most satisfied by killing others, will surely kill us.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize Animals’ Fear and Reject Cruelty

1
Animals intended for sacrifice become extremely afraid when they see the performer. They expect that he will kill them without mercy.
2
The translation describes such a performer as ignorant of the purpose of sacrifice and satisfied by killing others.
3
The purport condemns slaughtering animals for either religion or food. It states that such killing requires mercilessness.

Key points from the purport

Animal sacrifice in the name of religion is current practically all over the world in every established religion.
Slaughtering animals, either for religion or for food, is most abominable and is condemned herein.
Unless one is merciless, one cannot sacrifice animals, either in the name of religion or for food.

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

Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Those who are in the lower grades of society prefer to perform sacrifices by killing animals, but one who is advanced in knowledge must avoid such unnecessary violence. Brāhmaṇas should execute their regulative duties in worshiping Lord Viṣṇu.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 7.15

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

dravya-yajñaiḥwith animals and other eatable things
yakṣyamāṇamthe person engaged in such sacrifices
dṛṣṭvāby seeing
bhūtānithe living entities (animals)
bibhyatibecome afraid
eṣaḥthis person (the performer of sacrifice)
māus
akaruṇaḥwho is inhumane and merciless

Key ideas in this verse

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

Ūti · The creative impetus
Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.15
In this verse: “afraid”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.15
In this verse: “religion”
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.15
In this verse: “mercy”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does considering an animal’s fear affect my choices about food and religious practice?

Practice

Avoid food obtained by slaughter today, remembering the fear described in this verse.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize Animals’ Fear and Reject CrueltyThis 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 7.15.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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