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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
7.2.37.2.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 7.2.4-5

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

भो भो दानवदैतेया द्विमूर्धंस्त्र्यक्ष शम्बर ।

शतबाहो हयग्रीव नमुचे पाक इल्वल ॥ ४ ॥

विप्रचित्ते मम वच: पुलोमन् शकुनादय: ।

श‍ृणुतानन्तरं सर्वे क्रियतामाशु मा चिरम् ॥ ५ ॥

bho bho dānava-daiteyā

dvimūrdhaṁs tryakṣa śambara

śatabāho hayagrīva

namuce pāka ilvala

vipracitte mama vacaḥ

puloman śakunādayaḥ

śṛṇutānantaraṁ sarve

kriyatām āśu mā ciram

Translation

O Dānavas and Daityas! O Dvimūrdha, Tryakṣa, Śambara and Śatabāhu! O Hayagrīva, Namuci, Pāka and Ilvala! O Vipracitti, Puloman, Śakuna and other demons! All of you, kindly hear me attentively and then act according to my words without delay.

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.

A Demand for Immediate Obedience

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu addressed the assembled Dānavas and Daityas, calling several of them by name.

  2. 2

    He asked all of them to hear his words attentively.

  3. 3

    He then demanded that they act according to his words without delay. He wanted their attention followed by immediate obedience.

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. bhoḥO
  2. bhoḥO
  3. dānava-daiteyāḥDānavas and Daityas
  4. dvi-mūrdhanDvimūrdha (two-headed)
  5. tri-akṣaTryakṣa (three-eyed)
  6. śambaraŚambara
  7. śata-bāhoŚatabāhu (hundred-armed)
  8. hayagrīvaHayagrīva (horse-headed)
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”

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 carefully consider a command before acting simply because someone demands urgency?

Practice

Before acting on one urgent request today, take a moment to consider what you are being asked to do.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Demand for Immediate ObedienceThis 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 7.2.4-5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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