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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 7.2.3

Who is speaking and story frame

करालदंष्ट्रोग्रद‍ृष्टय‍ा दुष्प्रेक्ष्यभ्रुकुटीमुख: ।

शूलमुद्यम्य सदसि दानवानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३ ॥

karāla-daṁṣṭrogra-dṛṣṭyā

duṣprekṣya-bhrukuṭī-mukhaḥ

śūlam udyamya sadasi

dānavān idam abravīt

Translation

Exhibiting his terrible teeth, fierce glance and frowning eyebrows, terrible to see, he took up his weapon, a trident, and thus began speaking to his associates, the assembled demons.

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.

Anger Shapes Speech and Action

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu displayed terrible teeth, a fierce glance and frowning eyebrows. His appearance was terrible to see.

  2. 2

    He took up his weapon, a trident, before speaking.

  3. 3

    He addressed his associates, the assembled demons. His threatening appearance and weapon accompanied his speech.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karāla-daṁṣṭrawith terrible teeth
  2. ugra-dṛṣṭyāand fierce glance
  3. duṣprekṣyahorrible to see
  4. bhru-kuṭīwith frowning eyebrows
  5. mukhaḥwhose face
  6. śūlamtrident
  7. udyamyaraising
  8. sadasiin the assembly
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

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 do my expression and actions communicate before I speak?

Practice

Before one difficult conversation today, pause and relax your frown rather than speaking with a threatening expression.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAnger Shapes Speech and ActionThis 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 7.2.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.