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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 4: Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the Universe
7.4.147.4.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.15

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 7.4.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

स एव वर्णाश्रमिभि: क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: ।

इज्यमानो हविर्भागानग्रहीत् स्वेन तेजसा ॥ १५ ॥

sa eva varṇāśramibhiḥ

kratubhir bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ

ijyamāno havir-bhāgān

agrahīt svena tejasā

Translation

Being worshiped by sacrifices offered with great gifts by those who strictly followed the principles of varṇa and āśrama, Hiraṇyakaśipu, instead of offering shares of the oblations to the demigods, accepted them himself.

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.

Hiraṇyakaśipu Takes the Demigods’ Shares

  1. 1

    Those who strictly followed the principles of varṇa and āśrama offered sacrifices.

  2. 2

    These sacrifices included great gifts, and Hiraṇyakaśipu received worship through them.

  3. 3

    Instead of offering the demigods their shares of the oblations, Hiraṇyakaśipu accepted those shares himself.

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 4: Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Becoming the master of all places, including the residence of Indra, whom he had driven out, he began enjoying life in great luxury and thus became mad. All the demigods but Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva came under his control and began serving him, but despite all his material power he was dissatisfied because he was always puffed up, proud of transgressing the Vedic regulations.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (Hiraṇyakaśipu)
  2. evaindeed
  3. varṇa-āśramibhiḥby persons who strictly followed the regulative principles of the four varṇas and four āśramas
  4. kratubhiḥby ritualistic ceremonies
  5. bhūriabundant
  6. dakṣiṇaiḥoffered with gifts
  7. ijyamānaḥbeing worshiped
  8. haviḥ-bhāgānthe portions of the oblations
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “principles”, “varṇa”, “āśrama”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “worship”

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

Am I keeping something that should properly be offered to another?

Practice

Give one person a share or item that is rightfully theirs rather than keeping it for yourself.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHiraṇyakaśipu Takes the Demigods’ SharesThis 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 7.4.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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