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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 2: Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons
7.2.117.2.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.12

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.2.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

यत्र यत्र द्विजा गावो वेदा वर्णाश्रमक्रिया: ।

तं तं जनपदं यात सन्दीपयत वृश्चत ॥ १२ ॥

yatra yatra dvijā gāvo

vedā varṇāśrama-kriyāḥ

taṁ taṁ janapadaṁ yāta

sandīpayata vṛścata

Translation

Immediately go wherever there is good protection for the cows and brāhmaṇas and wherever the Vedas are studied in terms of the varṇāśrama principles. Set fire to those places and cut from the roots the trees there, which are the source of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect Life and Work for Lord Viṣṇu

  1. 1

    Peaceful human civilization needs trained brāhmaṇas to guide, kṣatriyas to rule according to the śāstras, and vaiśyas to produce food and protect cows.

  2. 2

    Trees also deserve protection. They should not be cut unnecessarily for industrial enterprises.

  3. 3

    Work should be performed as a sacrifice for Lord Viṣṇu; otherwise it binds us to the material world. Literature that clarifies our relationship with Him is part of this service.

Key points from the purport
  • The answer is that the paper mills should manufacture paper only for the publication of ISKCON literature because ISKCON literature is published for the service of Lord Viṣṇu.
  • This literature clarifies our relationship with Lord Viṣṇu, and therefore the publication of ISKCON literature is the performance of yajña.
  • The cutting of trees simply to manufacture paper for the publication of unwanted literature is the greatest sinful act.

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

Pride and rage → Oppression. The ruler's power intensifies his insecurity.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 7: Hiraṇyakaśipu's ascent and intimidation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as the boar and killed Hiraṇyakaśipu’s brother Hiraṇyākṣa, Hiraṇyakaśipu was very much aggrieved. In anger, he accused the Supreme Personality of Godhead of being partial to His devotees and derided the Lord’s appearance as Varāha to kill his brother.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatra yatrawherever
  2. dvijāḥthe brāhmaṇas
  3. gāvaḥthe protected cows
  4. vedāḥthe Vedic culture
  5. varṇa-āśramaof the Āryan civilization of four varṇas and four āśramas
  6. kriyāḥthe activities
  7. tam tamthat
  8. jana-padamto the city or town
3

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “principles”, “varṇāśrama”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “protection”, “protect”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “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

How can my use of natural resources support service to Lord Viṣṇu rather than unnecessary consumption?

Practice

Read a short passage of literature that clarifies your relationship with Lord Viṣṇu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect Life and Work for Lord ViṣṇuThis 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 7.2.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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