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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
7.4.187.4.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.19

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 इत्थं निर्जितककुबेकराड् विषयान् प्रियान् ।

यथोपजोषं भुञ्जानो नातृप्यदजितेन्द्रिय: ॥ १९ ॥

sa itthaṁ nirjita-kakub

eka-rāḍ viṣayān priyān

yathopajoṣaṁ bhuñjāno

nātṛpyad ajitendriyaḥ

Translation

In spite of achieving the power to control in all directions and in spite of enjoying all types of dear sense gratification as much as possible, Hiraṇyakaśipu was dissatisfied because instead of controlling his senses he remained their servant.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serving the Senses Cannot Bring Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu controlled all directions and enjoyed pleasing sense objects as much as possible. Still, he was dissatisfied because he remained a servant of his senses.

  2. 2

    Material advancement can create great comfort for the senses without bringing satisfaction. Increasing enjoyment does not free someone from being controlled by the senses.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that human society cannot be happy and peaceful without Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Hiraṇyakaśipu vividly illustrates this dissatisfied condition.

Key points from the purport
  • Atheists can advance materially and create an extremely comfortable situation for the senses, but because they are controlled by the senses, they cannot be satisfied.
  • Materialists are very much advanced in enjoying money and women, yet dissatisfaction prevails within human society because human society cannot be happy and peaceful without Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • As far as material sense gratification is concerned, materialists may go on increasing their enjoyment as far as they can imagine, but because people in such a material condition are servants of their senses, they cannot be satisfied.

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 4: Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Hiraṇyakaśipu conquered everyone in the ten directions and the three worlds and brought all living entities, both demigods and asuras, under his control. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.4
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (Hiraṇyakaśipu)
  2. itthamthus
  3. nirjitaconquered
  4. kakuball directions within the universe
  5. eka-rāṭthe one emperor of the whole universe
  6. viṣayānmaterial sense objects
  7. priyānvery pleasing
  8. yathā-upajoṣamas much as possible
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

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

Where do I keep seeking more enjoyment without finding lasting satisfaction?

Practice

Pause before one unnecessary indulgence today and reflect on whether you are directing your senses or serving them.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServing the Senses Cannot Bring SatisfactionThis 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 7.4.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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