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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.33

Who is speaking and story frame

नोद्विग्नचित्तो व्यसनेषु नि:स्पृह:

श्रुतेषु द‍ृष्टेषु गुणेष्ववस्तुद‍ृक् ।

दान्तेन्द्रियप्राणशरीरधी: सदा

प्रशान्तकामो रहितासुरोऽसुर: ॥ ३३ ॥

nodvigna-citto vyasaneṣu niḥspṛhaḥ

śruteṣu dṛṣṭeṣu guṇeṣv avastu-dṛk

dāntendriya-prāṇa-śarīra-dhīḥ sadā

praśānta-kāmo rahitāsuro ’suraḥ

Translation

Although Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of asuras, he himself was not an asura but a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. Unlike the other asuras, he was never envious of Vaiṣṇavas. He was not agitated when put into danger, and he was neither directly nor indirectly interested in the fruitive activities described in the Vedas. Indeed, he considered everything material to be useless, and therefore he was completely devoid of material desires. He always controlled his senses and life air, and being of steady intelligence and determination, he subdued all lusty desires.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Qualification Depends on Character, Not Birth

  1. 1

    Birth alone neither qualifies nor disqualifies a person. Although born in a family of asuras, Prahlāda possessed the qualities of a perfect brāhmaṇa and was a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    Anyone can become a fully qualified brāhmaṇa under the direction of a spiritual master. Prahlāda showed how to respect the spiritual master and accept his directions calmly.

  3. 3

    Prahlāda was free from envy of Vaiṣṇavas and remained steady in danger. With controlled senses and firm intelligence, he subdued material desires.

Key points from the purport
  • From this verse we discover that a man is not qualified or disqualified simply by birth.
  • Prahlāda Mahārāja was an asura by birth, yet he possessed all the qualities of a perfect brāhmaṇa (brahmaṇyaḥ śīla-sampannaḥ).
  • Prahlāda Mahārāja provided a vivid example of how to think of the spiritual master and accept his directions calmly.

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:

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. udvignaagitated
  3. cittaḥwhose consciousness
  4. vyasaneṣuin dangerous conditions
  5. niḥspṛhaḥwithout desire
  6. śruteṣuin things heard of (especially elevation to heavenly planets because of pious activities)
  7. dṛṣṭeṣuas well as in temporal things seen
  8. guṇeṣuthe objects of sense gratification under the modes of material nature
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lusty”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 judge spiritual qualification by someone's birth or by their actual qualities?

Practice

Notice one judgment you make based on family background today, and reconsider it in light of the person's character.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayQualification Depends on Character, Not BirthThis 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 7.4.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.