1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

123456789101112131415

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
7.4.207.4.22-23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.21

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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
A turning point forHiraṇyakaśipu· Oppression expands

तस्योग्रदण्डसंविग्ना: सर्वे लोका: सपालका: ।

अन्यत्रालब्धशरणा: शरणं ययुरच्युतम् ॥ २१ ॥

tasyogra-daṇḍa-saṁvignāḥ

sarve lokāḥ sapālakāḥ

anyatrālabdha-śaraṇāḥ

śaraṇaṁ yayur acyutam

Translation

Everyone, including the rulers of the various planets, was extremely distressed because of the severe punishment inflicted upon them by Hiraṇyakaśipu. Fearful and disturbed, unable to find any other shelter, they at last surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Shelter of the Supreme Friend

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu’s severe punishment distressed the inhabitants and rulers of the planets. Finding no other shelter, they surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is everyone’s best friend and well-wisher. Knowing Him as the Supreme Lord and the purpose of sacrifices and austerities brings peace.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to seek shelter of the supreme friend from the beginning. In every circumstance, our shelter should be the Supreme Personality of Godhead rather than the demigods.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is actually the best friend of everyone.
  • Therefore all the inhabitants of the various planets, being unable to find any other shelter, were obliged to seek shelter at the lotus feet of the supreme friend.
  • In all circumstances, one should seek shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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· 1

The purport of SB 7.4.21 quotesBG 5.29

Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (5.29): “The sage who knows Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.”

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:

When the demigods were thus reassured by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, everyone was satisfied, knowing that the miseries inflicted upon them by Hiraṇyakaśipu would come to an end. Finally, Nārada Muni describes the characteristics of Prahlāda Mahārāja, the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu, and describes how his father envied his own qualified son.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof him (Hiraṇyakaśipu)
  2. ugra-daṇḍaby the very fearful chastisement
  3. saṁvignāḥdisturbed
  4. sarveall
  5. lokāḥthe planets
  6. sa-pālakāḥwith their principal rulers
  7. anyatraanywhere else
  8. alabdhanot obtaining
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “surrendered”, “shelter”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “fearful”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “distressed”

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

Do I turn to Kṛṣṇa as my well-wishing friend only in distress, or also in ordinary moments?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa today, asking for shelter as His dependent.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Shelter of the Supreme FriendThis 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 7.4.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories