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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

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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 2: Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons

7.2.14 7.2.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.15

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

केचित्खनित्रैर्बिभिदु: सेतुप्राकारगोपुरान् ।

आजीव्यांश्चिच्छिदुर्वृक्षान् केचित्परशुपाणय: ।

प्रादहन् शरणान्येके प्रजानां ज्वलितोल्मुकै: ॥ १५ ॥

kecit khanitrair bibhiduḥ

setu-prākāra-gopurān

ājīvyāṁś cicchidur vṛkṣān

kecit paraśu-pāṇayaḥ

prādahañ śaraṇāny eke

prajānāṁ jvalitolmukaiḥ

Translation

Some of the demons took digging instruments and broke down the bridges, the protective walls and the gates [gopuras] of the cities. Some took axes and began cutting the important trees that produced mango, jackfruit and other sources of food. Some of the demons took firebrands and set fire to the residential quarters of the citizens.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect Trees That Sustain People

1
The demons destroyed bridges, protective walls, city gates and homes. They also cut down trees that supplied people with food.
2
The cutting of trees is generally prohibited. Fruit-bearing trees are especially important because they maintain human society.
3
Different countries have different kinds of fruit trees. The śāstric injunction is that trees producing good fruit for people’s maintenance should not be cut.

Key points from the purport

In particular, trees that produce nice fruit for the maintenance of human society should not be cut.
In different countries there are different types of fruit trees.
In India the mango and jackfruit trees are prominent, and in other places there are mango trees, jackfruit trees, coconut trees and berry trees.

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

Chapter 2: Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He began to agitate all the demons and Rākṣasas and disturb the ritualistic ceremonies of the peaceful sages and other inhabitants of earth. For want of the performance of yajña, sacrifice, the demigods began wandering unseen on earth.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 7.2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

kecitsome of the demons
khanitraiḥwith digging instruments
bibhiduḥbroke to pieces
setubridges
prākāraprotective walls
gopurāncity gates
ājīvyānthe source of livelihood
cicchiduḥcut down

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
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.2
In this verse: “citizens”
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 7.2
In this verse: “protective”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I value fruit trees as sources of nourishment that deserve protection?

Practice

Water a fruit tree today if one is accessible and needs water.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect Trees That Sustain PeopleThis 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 7.2.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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