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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 3: Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Plan to Become Immortal
7.3.227.3.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.3.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.3.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

स तत्कीचकवल्मीकात् सहओजोबलान्वित: ।

सर्वावयवसम्पन्नो वज्रसंहननो युवा ।

उत्थितस्तप्तहेमाभो विभावसुरिवैधस: ॥ २३ ॥

sa tat kīcaka-valmīkāt

saha-ojo-balānvitaḥ

sarvāvayava-sampanno

vajra-saṁhanano yuvā

utthitas tapta-hemābho

vibhāvasur ivaidhasaḥ

Translation

As soon as he was sprinkled with the water from Lord Brahmā’s waterpot, Hiraṇyakaśipu arose, endowed with a full body with limbs so strong that they could bear the striking of a thunderbolt. With physical strength and a bodily luster resembling molten gold, he emerged from the anthill a completely young man, just as fire springs from fuel wood.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Rejuvenation Through Severe Austerity

  1. 1

    Sprinkled with water from Lord Brahmā’s waterpot, Hiraṇyakaśipu arose from the anthill with his body fully restored.

  2. 2

    His limbs were strong enough to tolerate the striking of thunderbolts. He appeared as a young man with a beautiful luster resembling molten gold.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this rejuvenation took place because of his severe austerity and penance.

Key points from the purport
  • Hiraṇyakaśipu was revitalized, so much so that his body was quite competent to tolerate the striking of thunderbolts.
  • He was now a young man with a strong body and a very beautiful bodily luster resembling molten gold.
  • This is the rejuvenation that took place because of his severe austerity and penance.

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:

He then sprinkled water from his kamaṇḍalu, a type of waterpot, upon Hiraṇyakaśipu’s head. Hiraṇyakaśipu, the King of the Daityas, bowed down before Lord Brahmā, the creator of this universe, offering respectful obeisances again and again and offering prayers.
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. saḥHiraṇyakaśipu
  2. tatthat
  3. kīcaka-valmīkātfrom the anthill and bamboo grove
  4. sahaḥmental strength
  5. ojaḥstrength of the senses
  6. balaand sufficient bodily strength
  7. anvitaḥendowed with
  8. sarvaall
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.3

    In this verse: “luster”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What strikes you about the extent of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s bodily restoration?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and note three ways it describes Hiraṇyakaśipu’s restored body.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRejuvenation Through Severe AusterityThis 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 7.3.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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