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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
7.2.527.2.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.2.53

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

अहो अकरुणो देव: स्त्रियाकरुणया विभु: ।

कृपणं मामनुशोचन्त्या दीनया किं करिष्यति ॥ ५३ ॥

aho akaruṇo devaḥ

striyākaruṇayā vibhuḥ

kṛpaṇaṁ mām anuśocantyā

dīnayā kiṁ kariṣyati

Translation

Alas, how merciless is Providence! My wife, unable to be helped by anyone, is in such an awkward position and lamenting for me. What will Providence gain by taking away this poor bird? What will be the profit?

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 Questions the Ways of Providence

  1. 1

    In his lament, the male bird calls Providence merciless. These words express his anguish over his wife’s danger.

  2. 2

    He describes his wife as helpless and lamenting for him.

  3. 3

    He asks what Providence could gain by taking away this poor bird. His questions reveal his distress at the threatened loss.

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. ahoalas
  2. akaruṇaḥmost unkind
  3. devaḥprovidence
  4. striyāwith my wife
  5. ākaruṇayāwho is fully compassionate
  6. vibhuḥthe Supreme Lord
  7. kṛpaṇampoor
  8. māmme
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”, “lament”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “danger”

  • 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

When I am distressed, how does grief shape the questions I ask?

Practice

Reread the bird’s questions and identify one phrase that expresses his helplessness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGrief Questions the Ways of ProvidenceThis 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.

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