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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.3.18

Who is speaking and story frame

अद्राक्षमहमेतं ते हृत्सारं महदद्भ‍ुतम् । दंशभक्षितदेहस्य प्राणा ह्यस्थिषु शेरते ॥ १८ ॥

adrākṣam aham etaṁ te

hṛt-sāraṁ mahad-adbhutam

daṁśa-bhakṣita-dehasya

prāṇā hy asthiṣu śerate

Translation

I have been very much astonished to see your endurance. In spite of being eaten and bitten by all kinds of worms and ants, you are keeping your life air circulating within your bones. Certainly this is wonderful.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Life Beyond the Body’s Outer Condition

  1. 1

    Brahmā was astonished by Hiraṇyakaśipu’s endurance. Though worms and ants had eaten his body, his life air continued circulating within his bones.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the soul can remain even when only the bones remain, as shown by Hiraṇyakaśipu’s example.

  3. 3

    Great yogīs in samādhi can remain alive in a transcendental state despite being buried for long periods. Their outward bodily condition does not fully reveal their living state.

Key points from the purport
  • When great yogīs are in samādhi, even when their bodies are buried and their skin, marrow, blood and so on have all been eaten, if only their bones remain they can exist in a transcendental position.
  • Very recently an archaeologist published findings indicating that Lord Christ, after being buried, was exhumed and that he then went to Kashmir.
  • A yogī can keep himself alive in a transcendental state even if buried not only for many days but for many years.

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 3: Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Plan to Become Immortal

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The demigods disclosed to Lord Brahmā Hiraṇyakaśipu’s ambition to become immortal, overcoming his short duration of life, and to be the master of all the planetary systems, even Dhruvaloka. Upon hearing about the purpose of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s austere meditation, Lord Brahmā, accompanied by the great sage Bhṛgu and great personalities like Dakṣa, went to see Hiraṇyakaśipu.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.3
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. adrākṣamhave personally seen
  2. ahamI
  3. etamthis
  4. teyour
  5. hṛt-sārampower of endurance
  6. mahatvery great
  7. adbhutamwonderful
  8. daṁśa-bhakṣitaeaten by worms and ants
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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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this account challenge my tendency to identify life only with the visible body?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute reflecting on the distinction between the soul and the body’s outer condition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLife Beyond the Body’s Outer ConditionThis 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 7.3.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.