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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

7.2.42 7.2.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.43

Mukti· Liberation

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

यथानलो दारुषु भिन्न ईयते

यथानिलो देहगत: पृथक् स्थित: ।

यथा नभ: सर्वगतं न सज्जते

तथा पुमान् सर्वगुणाश्रय: पर: ॥ ४३ ॥

yathānalo dāruṣu bhinna īyate

yathānilo deha-gataḥ pṛthak sthitaḥ

yathā nabhaḥ sarva-gataṁ na sajjate

tathā pumān sarva-guṇāśrayaḥ paraḥ

Translation

As fire, although situated in wood, is perceived to be different from the wood, as air, although situated within the mouth and nostrils, is perceived to be separate, and as the sky, although all-pervading, never mixes with anything, so the living entity, although now encaged within the material body, of which it is the source, is separate from it.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Revive Your Relationship With the Supreme Lord

1
The living entity is separate from the material body, as fire is perceived as distinct from wood. Both material and spiritual energies emanate from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
2
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught acintya-bhedābheda-tattva: simultaneous oneness and difference. Although the living being appears separate from the Lord, he is very intimately related with Him.
3
Even when we seem neglected, the Lord is always alert to our activities. We should depend on His supremacy, authority and control, and revive our intimate relationship with Him.

Key points from the purport

But although the eight gross and subtle material energies — namely, earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego — are stated to be bhinnā, separate from the Lord, actually they are not.
As fire appears separate from wood and as the air flowing through the nostrils and mouth of the body appear separate from the body, so the Paramātmā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears separate from the living being but is actually separate and not separate simultaneously.
According to the reactions of karma, the living being appears separate from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but actually he is very intimately related with the Lord.

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

Chapter 2: Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

We should always know, however, that the spirit soul, which is different from the body, is eternal, inadjustable, pure, all-pervading and aware of everything. When bound by the material energy, the soul takes birth in higher or lower species of life according to varying association and in this way receives various types of bodies in which to suffer or enjoy.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 7.2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

yathājust as
analaḥthe fire
dāruṣuin wood
bhinnaḥseparate
īyateis perceived
yathājust as
anilaḥthe air
deha-gataḥwithin the body

Key ideas in this verse

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

Mukti · Liberation
What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.2
In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering my intimate relationship with the Lord change a feeling of being neglected?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to acknowledge the Lord’s awareness of your activities and express your wish to revive your relationship with Him.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRevive Your Relationship With the Supreme LordThis 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 7.2.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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