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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
7.4.447.4.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.4.45

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 7.4.44inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

पुत्रान् विप्रतिकूलान् स्वान् पितर: पुत्रवत्सला: ।

उपालभन्ते शिक्षार्थं नैवाघमपरो यथा ॥ ४५ ॥

putrān vipratikūlān svān

pitaraḥ putra-vatsalāḥ

upālabhante śikṣārthaṁ

naivāgham aparo yathā

Translation

A father and mother are always affectionate to their children. When the children are disobedient the parents chastise them, not due to enmity but only for the child’s instruction and welfare. How did Hiraṇyakaśipu, the father of Prahlāda Mahārāja, chastise such a noble son? This is what I am eager to know.

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.

Correction Should Seek the Child’s Welfare

  1. 1

    A father and mother are affectionate toward their children.

  2. 2

    When parents chastise disobedient children, the purpose is instruction and welfare, not enmity.

  3. 3

    The question here is why Hiraṇyakaśipu chastised such a noble son as Prahlāda Mahārāja.

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. putrānsons
  2. vipratikūlānwho act against the will of the father
  3. svāntheir own
  4. pitaraḥfathers
  5. putra-vatsalāḥbeing very affectionate to the children
  6. upālabhantechastise
  7. śikṣa-arthamto teach them lessons
  8. nanot
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.4

    In this verse: “mother”, “father”, “children”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

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

When you correct someone, are you seeking their welfare rather than expressing hostility?

Practice

Before offering any correction today, pause and choose words intended to help rather than hurt.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCorrection Should Seek the Child’s WelfareThis 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.

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