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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
7.4.197.4.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.20

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

एवमैश्वर्यमत्तस्य द‍ृप्तस्योच्छास्त्रवर्तिन: ।

कालो महान् व्यतीयाय ब्रह्मशापमुपेयुष: ॥ २० ॥

evam aiśvarya-mattasya

dṛptasyocchāstra-vartinaḥ

kālo mahān vyatīyāya

brahma-śāpam upeyuṣaḥ

Translation

Hiraṇyakaśipu thus passed a long time being very much proud of his opulences and transgressing the laws and regulations mentioned in the authoritative śāstras. He was therefore subjected to a curse by the four Kumāras, who were great brāhmaṇas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Let Scripture Guide Your Actions

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu became proud of his opulences and transgressed the authoritative śāstras. The translation also describes his being subjected to the curse of the four Kumāras.

  2. 2

    Śāstra controls our activities and teaches what is duty and what is not duty. Discarding its directions and acting whimsically brings neither perfection, happiness nor the supreme destination.

  3. 3

    Material opulence can tempt a person to disregard scriptural laws. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that such transgression begins the path of destruction.

Key points from the purport
  • There have been many instances in which demons, after achieving material opulences, have become extremely proud, so much so that they have transgressed the laws and regulations given in the authoritative śāstras.
  • We cannot violate or transgress the laws and regulative principles mentioned in the śāstras.
  • As soon as one transgresses the laws of śāstra, he immediately enters upon the path of destruction.

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 7.4.20 quotesBG 16.23

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (16.23): “He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.”

The purport of SB 7.4.20 quotesBG 16.24

Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated.”

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 4: Hiraṇyakaśipu Terrorizes the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

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. All the brāhmaṇas were dissatisfied with him, and they cursed him with determination.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. aiśvarya-mattasyaof one who was intoxicated by opulences
  3. dṛptasyagreatly proud
  4. ut-śāstra-vartinaḥtransgressing the regulative principles mentioned in the śāstras
  5. kālaḥduration of time
  6. mahāna great
  7. vyatīyāyapassed
  8. brahma-śāpama curse by exalted brāhmaṇas
  9. upeyuṣaḥhaving obtained
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “proud”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duty”

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

Does comfort or success ever make me less willing to accept scriptural guidance?

Practice

Before one decision today, pause to consider a scriptural direction you have learned rather than acting only on impulse.

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.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.4's connections

Live this todayLet Scripture Guide Your ActionsThis 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 7.4.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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