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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 ›
Canto 7 · Chapter 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu
7.5.347.5.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.5.35

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Prahlāda Mahārājasince 7.5.30inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

अयं मे भ्रातृहा सोऽयं हित्वा स्वान् सुहृदोऽधम: ।

पितृव्यहन्तु: पादौ यो विष्णोर्दासवदर्चति ॥ ३५ ॥

ayaṁ me bhrātṛ-hā so ’yaṁ

hitvā svān suhṛdo ’dhamaḥ

pitṛvya-hantuḥ pādau yo

viṣṇor dāsavad arcati

Translation

This boy Prahlāda is the killer of my brother, for he has given up his family to engage in the devotional service of the enemy, Lord Viṣṇu, like a menial servant.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Remains Master, Devotees Remain Servants

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu considered Prahlāda the killer of his brother because Prahlāda served Lord Viṣṇu. His accusation arose from hostility toward that service.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that Prahlāda would attain sārūpya liberation and in that sense resemble Lord Viṣṇu. The forms of liberation attained by devotees are described as most certain.

  3. 3

    Even when the Lord’s servants in Vaikuṇṭha are equally situated with Him, they know that He is the master and they are servants.

Key points from the purport
  • Hiraṇyakaśipu considered his son Prahlāda Mahārāja to be the killer of his brother because Prahlāda Mahārāja was engaged in the devotional service of Lord Viṣṇu.
  • In other words, Prahlāda Mahārāja would be elevated to sārūpya liberation, and in that sense he resembled Lord Viṣṇu.
  • Although the servants of Lord Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, in the Vaikuṇṭha planets are equally situated with the Lord, the devotees there know very well that the Lord is the master whereas they are servants.

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

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:

Prahlāda Mahārāja replied that those who are attached to family life do not develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness, either personally or collectively. Instead, they suffer repeated birth and death in this material world and continue simply chewing the chewed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayamthis
  2. memy
  3. bhrātṛ-hākiller of the brother
  4. saḥhe
  5. ayamthis
  6. hitvāgiving up
  7. svānown
  8. suhṛdaḥwell-wishers
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I strengthen my desire to serve the Lord rather than seek His position?

Practice

Before one devotional activity today, consciously remember that the Lord is the master and you are His servant.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Remains Master, Devotees Remain ServantsThis 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 7.5.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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