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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 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu
7.5.197.5.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.5.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.5.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

पादयो: पतितं बालं प्रतिनन्द्याशिषासुर: ।

परिष्वज्य चिरं दोर्भ्यां परमामाप निर्वृतिम् ॥ २० ॥

pādayoḥ patitaṁ bālaṁ

pratinandyāśiṣāsuraḥ

pariṣvajya ciraṁ dorbhyāṁ

paramām āpa nirvṛtim

Translation

When Hiraṇyakaśipu saw that his child had fallen at his feet and was offering obeisances, as an affectionate father he immediately began showering blessings upon the child and embraced him with both arms. A father naturally feels happy to embrace his son, and Hiraṇyakaśipu became very happy in this way.

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.

A Father’s Joy in His Son

  1. 1

    Prahlāda Mahārāja fell at his father’s feet and offered obeisances.

  2. 2

    Hiraṇyakaśipu responded as an affectionate father, showering blessings upon his child.

  3. 3

    He embraced Prahlāda with both arms and became very happy. The translation describes a father’s natural happiness in embracing his son.

How it feels

Threat → Steady faith. A vulnerable child remains inwardly unshaken.

Chapters 5–7 of Canto 7: Prahlāda refuses to abandon his devotion. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They taught him to the best of their ability and then brought him before his father. Hiraṇyakaśipu affectionately took his son Prahlāda on his lap and then inquired from him what the best thing was that he had learned from his teachers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pādayoḥat the feet
  2. patitamfallen
  3. bālamthe boy (Prahlāda Mahārāja)
  4. pratinandyaencouraging
  5. āśiṣāwith blessings (“My dear child, may you live long and be happy” and so on)
  6. asuraḥthe demon Hiraṇyakaśipu
  7. pariṣvajyaembracing
  8. ciramfor a long time due to affection
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 7.5

    In this verse: “father”, “child”, “father’s”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “blessings”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How do I respond when someone offers me respect or affection?

Practice

Offer a family member a sincere wish for their happiness today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Father’s Joy in His SonThis 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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