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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
7.3.357.3.37-38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.3.36

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

नान्तर्बहिर्दिवा नक्तमन्यस्मादपि चायुधै: ।

न भूमौ नाम्बरे मृत्युर्न नरैर्न मृगैरपि ॥ ३६ ॥

nāntar bahir divā naktam

anyasmād api cāyudhaiḥ

na bhūmau nāmbare mṛtyur

na narair na mṛgair api

Translation

Grant me that I not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Grant me that my death not be brought by any being other than those created by you, nor by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Fear Behind Carefully Planned Protection

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu feared that Viṣṇu might become an animal to kill him, because the Lord had killed his brother in the shape of a boar. He therefore sought protection from all kinds of animals.

  2. 2

    Viṣṇu could also kill him with His Sudarśana cakra, which can go anywhere without the Lord’s physical presence. Hiraṇyakaśipu therefore sought protection from all kinds of weapons.

  3. 3

    He tried to guard against death in every time and place, from residents of other planets and from Lord Viṣṇu or Lord Śiva. He even guarded against natural death inside or outside his house, thinking himself securely protected.

Key points from the purport
  • Hiraṇyakaśipu was very much afraid of Viṣṇu’s becoming an animal to kill him because his brother had been killed by Viṣṇu when the Lord took the shape of a boar.
  • Therefore Hiraṇyakaśipu was careful to guard against all kinds of weapons.
  • Hiraṇyakaśipu knew that Brahmā would not kill him, but he also wanted not to be killed by Lord Viṣṇu or Lord Śiva.

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:

When Lord Brahmā agreed to give him benedictions, he prayed not be killed by any living entity, not to be killed in any place, covered or uncovered, not to die in the daytime or at night, not to be killed by any weapon, on land or in the air, and not to be killed by any human being, animal, demigod or any other entity, living or nonliving.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. antaḥinside (the palace or home)
  3. bahiḥoutside the home
  4. divāduring the daytime
  5. naktamduring the night
  6. anyasmātfrom any others beyond Lord Brahmā
  7. apieven
  8. caalso
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 7.3

    In this verse: “death”, “feared”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 7.3

    In this verse: “protection”, “guard”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Hiraṇyakaśipu’s long list of protections reveal about the fear behind his requests?

Practice

Write down two protections Hiraṇyakaśipu requested and identify the fear behind each.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFear Behind Carefully Planned ProtectionThis 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 7.3.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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