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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 4: Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the Universe
7.4.17.4.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.2

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

श्रीब्रह्मोवाच

तातेमे दुर्लभा: पुंसां यान् वृणीषे वरान् मम ।

तथापि वितराम्यङ्ग वरान् यद्यपि दुर्लभान् ॥ २ ॥

śrī-brahmovāca

tāteme durlabhāḥ puṁsāṁ

yān vṛṇīṣe varān mama

tathāpi vitarāmy aṅga

varān yadyapi durlabhān

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: O Hiraṇyakaśipu, these benedictions for which you have asked are difficult to obtain for most men. Nonetheless, O my son, I shall grant you them although they are generally not available.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Benedictions Can Become Burdens

  1. 1

    Material benedictions are not always worthy of being called benedictions. Having more and more can turn a blessing into a curse.

  2. 2

    Acquiring material opulence requires great strength and endeavor, and maintaining it also requires great endeavor.

  3. 3

    Brahmā kept his promise to grant the requested benedictions. Yet the purport cautions against accepting benedictions one cannot enjoy peacefully.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Brahmā informed Hiraṇyakaśipu that although he was ready to offer him whatever he had asked, the result of the benedictions would be very difficult for Hiraṇyakaśipu to maintain.
  • Nonetheless, since Brahmā had promised, he wanted to grant all the benedictions asked.
  • The word durlabhān indicates that one should not take benedictions one cannot enjoy peacefully.

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:

By severe austerities, Hiraṇyakaśipu satisfied Lord Brahmā and obtained the benedictions he desired. After he received these benedictions, his body, which had been almost entirely consumed, was revived with full beauty and a luster like gold.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-brahmā uvācaLord Brahmā said
  2. tātaO dear son
  3. imeall these
  4. durlabhāḥvery rarely obtained
  5. puṁsāmby men
  6. yānthose which
  7. vṛṇīṣeyou ask
  8. varānbenedictions
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “blessing”

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

Is something I want likely to bring peace, or more burdens to maintain?

Practice

Before pursuing one new possession today, consider the effort needed to maintain it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Benedictions Can Become BurdensThis 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 7.4.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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