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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
7.4.347.4.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.4.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

यं साधुगाथासदसि रिपवोऽपि सुरा नृप ।

प्रतिमानं प्रकुर्वन्ति किमुतान्ये भवाद‍ृशा: ॥ ३५ ॥

yaṁ sādhu-gāthā-sadasi

ripavo ’pi surā nṛpa

pratimānaṁ prakurvanti

kim utānye bhavādṛśāḥ

Translation

In any assembly where there are discourses about saints and devotees, O King Yudhiṣṭhira, even the enemies of the demons, namely the demigods, what to speak of you, would cite Prahlāda Mahārāja as an example of a great devotee.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Great Devotion Wins Recognition Beyond Rivalry

  1. 1

    In assemblies discussing saints and devotees, Prahlāda Mahārāja was cited as an example of a great devotee.

  2. 2

    Even the demigods, who were enemies of the demons, recognized Prahlāda's greatness. Their opposition to the demons did not prevent them from honoring his devotion.

  3. 3

    Nārada told King Yudhiṣṭhira that if even the demigods praised Prahlāda, others such as the King would certainly do so. Prahlāda's devotion was worthy of their recognition.

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:

Finally, Nārada Muni describes the characteristics of Prahlāda Mahārāja, the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu, and describes how his father envied his own qualified son. In this way the chapter ends.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yamwhom
  2. sādhu-gāthā-sadasiin an assembly where saintly persons gather or exalted characteristics are discussed
  3. ripavaḥpersons who were supposed to have been Prahlāda Mahārāja’s enemies (even such a devotee as Prahlāda Mahārāja had enemies, including even his own father)
  4. apieven
  5. surāḥthe demigods (the demigods are enemies of the demons, and since Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in a family of demons, the demigods should have been his enemies)
  6. nṛpaO King Yudhiṣṭhira
  7. pratimānama substantial example of the best among the devotees
  8. prakurvantithey make
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotion”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “king”

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

Can I appreciate someone's devotion even when I feel distant from their group?

Practice

Share one sentence about Prahlāda's exemplary devotion with someone today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreat Devotion Wins Recognition Beyond RivalryThis 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 7.4.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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