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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.
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Canto 7 · Chapter 2: Hiraṇyakaśipu, King of the Demons
7.2.517.2.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.52

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Yamarājasince 7.2.44inside 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

सासज्जत सिचस्तन्‍त्र्यां महिष्य: कालयन्त्रिता ।

कुलिङ्गस्तां तथापन्नां निरीक्ष्य भृशदु:खित: ।

स्‍नेहादकल्प: कृपण: कृपणां पर्यदेवयत् ॥ ५२ ॥

sāsajjata sicas tantryāṁ

mahiṣyaḥ kāla-yantritā

kuliṅgas tāṁ tathāpannāṁ

nirīkṣya bhṛśa-duḥkhitaḥ

snehād akalpaḥ kṛpaṇaḥ

kṛpaṇāṁ paryadevayat

Translation

O queens of Suyajña, the male kuliṅga bird, seeing his wife put into the greatest danger in the grip of Providence, became very unhappy. Because of affection, the poor bird, being unable to release her, began to lament for his wife.

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.

Affection Meets the Pain of Helplessness

  1. 1

    The male kuliṅga bird saw his wife in great danger, in the grip of Providence.

  2. 2

    His affection for her made him deeply unhappy at her plight.

  3. 3

    He was unable to release her. In his helplessness, he began to lament for his wife.

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:

Hiraṇyakaśipu related an account of a kuliṅga bird pierced by the arrow of a hunter while lamenting for his wife, who had also been shot by the same hunter. By narrating these stories, Hiraṇyakaśipu pacified his nephews and other relatives and relieved them of lamentation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāthe female bird
  2. asajjatatrapped
  3. sicaḥof the net
  4. tantryāmin the rope
  5. mahiṣyaḥO queens
  6. kāla-yantritābeing forced by time
  7. kuliṅgaḥthe male kuliṅga bird
  8. tāmher
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “lament”

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 I respond when someone I love suffers and I cannot change the situation?

Practice

Reflect briefly on a time you could not help someone you loved, and name the affection and helplessness you felt.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection Meets the Pain of HelplessnessThis 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 7.2.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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