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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 7.15.22

Who is speaking and story frame

असङ्कल्पाज्जयेत्कामं क्रोधं कामविवर्जनात् ।

अर्थानर्थेक्षया लोभं भयं तत्त्वावमर्शनात् ॥ २२ ॥

asaṅkalpāj jayet kāmaṁ

krodhaṁ kāma-vivarjanāt

arthānarthekṣayā lobhaṁ

bhayaṁ tattvāvamarśanāt

Translation

By making plans with determination, one should give up lusty desires for sense gratification. Similarly, by giving up envy one should conquer anger, by discussing the disadvantages of accumulating wealth one should give up greed, and by discussing the truth one should give up fear.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Conquer Desire Through Determination and Reflection

  1. 1

    Firm determination helps one conquer lusty desires for sense gratification. The purport compares this to keeping a fast despite hunger and thirst.

  2. 2

    By determining not to envy anyone, one can conquer anger. Considering the difficulty and anxiety of protecting accumulated money helps one give up greed.

  3. 3

    Discussing the truth helps one give up fear. The verse directs us to counter inner difficulties with deliberate choices and thoughtful discussion.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has suggested how one can conquer lusty desires for sense gratification.
  • If one is determined not to have sex, he can automatically conquer lusty desires.
  • Thus if one discusses the disadvantages of accumulating wealth, he can naturally give up business without difficulty.

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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One must conquer lusty desires, anger, greed, fear, lamentation, illusion, fright, unnecessary talks on material subjects, violence, the four miseries of material existence, and the three material qualities. That is the objective of human life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asaṅkalpātby determination
  2. jayetone should conquer
  3. kāmamlusty desire
  4. krodhamanger
  5. kāma-vivarjanātby giving up the objective of sense desire
  6. arthaaccumulation of wealth
  7. anarthaa cause of trouble
  8. īkṣayāby considering
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “lusty”, “sense gratification”, “wealth”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “fear”

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 might envy be feeding an anger I am holding?

Practice

Write down one anxiety that comes from accumulating wealth, and reflect on how it makes greed troublesome.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConquer Desire Through Determination and ReflectionThis 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 7.15.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.