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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
7.2.18-197.2.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.20

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Hiraṇyakaśipusince 7.2.20inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja YudhiṣṭhiraHiraṇyakaśipu → his mother and family

श्रीहिरण्यकशिपुरुवाच

अम्बाम्ब हे वधू: पुत्रा वीरं मार्हथ शोचितुम् ।

रिपोरभिमुखे श्लाघ्य: शूराणां वध ईप्सित: ॥ २० ॥

śrī-hiraṇyakaśipur uvāca

ambāmba he vadhūḥ putrā

vīraṁ mārhatha śocitum

ripor abhimukhe ślāghyaḥ

śūrāṇāṁ vadha īpsitaḥ

Translation

Hiraṇyakaśipu said: My dear mother, sister-in-law and nephews, you should not lament for the death of the great hero, for a hero’s death in front of his enemy is glorious and desirable.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hiraṇyakaśipu Appeals to a Hero’s Honor

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu addressed his mother, sister-in-law and nephews together.

  2. 2

    He urged them not to lament for the death of the great hero.

  3. 3

    He described a hero’s death before his enemy as glorious and desirable. This was the reason he offered to console them.

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:

To pacify them, he spoke as follows: “My dear nephews, for heroes to die before the enemy is glorious. According to their different fruitive activities, living entities come together within this material world and are again separated by the laws of nature.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-hiraṇyakaśipuḥ uvācaHiraṇyakaśipu said
  2. amba ambamy mother, my mother
  3. heO
  4. vadhūḥmy sister-in-law
  5. putrāḥO sons of my brother
  6. vīramthe hero
  7. mānot
  8. arhathayou deserve
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “death”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “lament”

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

What reason does Hiraṇyakaśipu give his family for not lamenting?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining how Hiraṇyakaśipu tries to console his family.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHiraṇyakaśipu Appeals to a Hero’s HonorThis 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 7.2.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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