1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

123456789101112131415

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
7.2.387.2.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.39

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The boysince 7.2.39inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja YudhiṣṭhiraHiraṇyakaśipu → his mother and familyYamarāja, as a boy → the queens of King Suyajña

य इच्छयेश: सृजतीदमव्ययो

य एव रक्षत्यवलुम्पते च य: ।

तस्याबला: क्रीडनमाहुरीशितु-

श्चराचरं निग्रहसङ्ग्रहे प्रभु: ॥ ३९ ॥

ya icchayeśaḥ sṛjatīdam avyayo

ya eva rakṣaty avalumpate ca yaḥ

tasyābalāḥ krīḍanam āhur īśituś

carācaraṁ nigraha-saṅgrahe prabhuḥ

Translation

The boy addressed the women: O weak women! Only by the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never diminished, is the entire world created, maintained and again annihilated. This is the verdict of the Vedic knowledge. This material creation, consisting of the moving and nonmoving, is exactly like His plaything. Being the Supreme Lord, He is completely competent to destroy and protect.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Is Always Free

  1. 1

    By His own will, the Supreme Personality of Godhead creates, maintains and annihilates the world. He remains undiminished through all these activities.

  2. 2

    The Lord is completely competent both to protect and to destroy. The material creation, including moving and nonmoving beings, is like His plaything.

  3. 3

    The Lord is not our order carrier and does not create at anyone’s request. His supremacy means that He is not answerable to our demands.

Key points from the purport
  • In this regard the queens might argue, “If our husband was protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead when in the womb, why has he not been given protection now?”
  • The Lord does not create this material world at anyone’s request, and therefore He can annihilate everything merely by His will.
  • If one argues, “Why does He act in this way?” the answer is that He can do so because He is supreme.

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:

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. He began to agitate all the demons and Rākṣasas and disturb the ritualistic ceremonies of the peaceful sages and other inhabitants of 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. yaḥwho
  2. icchayāby His will (without being forced by anyone)
  3. īśaḥthe supreme controller
  4. sṛjaticreates
  5. idamthis (material world)
  6. avyayaḥremaining as He is (not having lost His own existence because of having created so many material manifestations)
  7. yaḥwho
  8. evaindeed
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protect”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.2

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Do I approach the Supreme Lord with respect for His freedom, or expect Him to carry out my wishes?

Practice

Notice one demand you are making of the Lord and replace it with a simple acknowledgment of His supremacy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Is Always FreeThis 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 7.2.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories