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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
7.2.29-317.2.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.32

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

रुदत्य उच्चैर्दयिताङ्‌घ्रिपङ्कजं

सिञ्चन्त्य अस्रै: कुचकुङ्कुमारुणै: ।

विस्रस्तकेशाभरणा: शुचं नृणां

सृजन्त्य आक्रन्दनया विलेपिरे ॥ ३२ ॥

rudatya uccair dayitāṅghri-paṅkajaṁ

siñcantya asraiḥ kuca-kuṅkumāruṇaiḥ

visrasta-keśābharaṇāḥ śucaṁ nṛṇāṁ

sṛjantya ākrandanayā vilepire

Translation

As the queens loudly cried, their tears glided down their breasts, becoming reddened by kuṅkuma powder, and fell upon the lotus feet of their husband. Their hair became disarrayed, their ornaments fell, and in a way that evoked sympathy from the hearts of others, the queens began lamenting their husband’s death.

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.

Grief Calls Forth Sympathy

  1. 1

    The queens cried loudly over their beloved husband. Their tears, reddened by kuṅkuma powder, fell upon his lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Their hair became disarrayed and their ornaments fell. Their outward appearance reflected their deep distress.

  3. 3

    Their lamentation evoked sympathy in the hearts of others. The verse shows how deeply their grief affected those around 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:

After finishing the ritualistic funeral ceremonies of his brother, Hiraṇyakaśipu began speaking to his nephews, quoting from the śāstras about the truth of life. To pacify them, he spoke as follows: “My dear nephews, for heroes to die before the enemy is glorious.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rudatyaḥcrying
  2. uccaiḥvery loudly
  3. dayitaof their beloved husband
  4. aṅghri-paṅkajamthe lotus feet
  5. siñcantyaḥmoistening
  6. asraiḥwith tears
  7. kuca-kuṅkuma-aruṇaiḥwhich were red from the kuṅkuma covering their breasts
  8. visrastascattered
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “lamenting”, “cried”, “lamentation”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “distress”

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 do you respond when another person’s grief becomes visible?

Practice

If someone shares sorrow today, listen quietly without rushing to change the subject.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGrief Calls Forth SympathyThis 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 7.2.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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