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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
7.3.237.3.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.3.24

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 निरीक्ष्याम्बरे देवं हंसवाहमुपस्थितम् ।

ननाम शिरसा भूमौ तद्दर्शनमहोत्सव: ॥ २४ ॥

sa nirīkṣyāmbare devaṁ

haṁsa-vāham upasthitam

nanāma śirasā bhūmau

tad-darśana-mahotsavaḥ

Translation

Seeing Lord Brahmā present before him in the sky, carried by his swan airplane, Hiraṇyakaśipu was extremely pleased. He immediately fell flat with his head on the ground and began to express his obligation to the lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship the Supreme Lord Directly

  1. 1

    Worshiping the Supreme Lord satisfies the demigods, just as watering a tree’s root nourishes its branches and leaves. Kṛṣṇa is the supreme master and enjoyer of all sacrifices.

  2. 2

    The demigods derive their power from the Supreme Lord. A devotee knows that Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, rather than treating the demigods as independent.

  3. 3

    Whether one has material desires, no material desires, or a desire for liberation, one should worship the Supreme Lord through devotional service. Asking Him for material benefits is not pure devotion, but it establishes a connection with Him.

Key points from the purport
  • The demigods are, so to speak, different officers and directors in the government of the Supreme Lord.
  • Similarly, everyone is to offer his worship to the Supreme Lord only.
  • If the Supreme Lord were to withdraw the powers of the demigods, the demigods would no longer be able to offer benedictions to their worshipers.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 7.3.24 quotesBG 9.23

Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.23-24):

The purport of SB 7.3.24 quotesSB 2.3.10

Therefore in the śāstra it is recommended: “A person who has broader intelligence, whether he be full of material desires, free from material desires, or desiring liberation, must by all means worship the supreme whole, the Personality of Godhead.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Seeing Hiraṇyakaśipu engaged in this austerity, the demigods returned to their respective homes, but while Hiraṇyakaśipu was thus engaged, a kind of fire began blazing from his head, disturbing the entire universe and its inhabitants, including the birds, beasts and demigods. When all the higher and lower planets became too hot to live on, the demigods, being disturbed, left their abodes in the higher planets and went to see Lord Brahmā, praying to him that he curtail this unnecessary heat.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (Hiraṇyakaśipu)
  2. nirīkṣyaseeing
  3. ambarein the sky
  4. devamthe supreme demigod
  5. haṁsa-vāhamwho rides a swan airplane
  6. upasthitamsituated before him
  7. nanāmaoffered obeisances
  8. śirasāwith his head
3

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.3

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “worshiping”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approaching the Supreme Lord mainly for temporary benefits, or to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a short prayer to Kṛṣṇa today, asking for the opportunity to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 2.3.10

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.3's connections

Live this todayWorship the Supreme Lord DirectlyThis 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 7.3.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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