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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

7.5.38 7.5.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 7.5.39-40

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

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

नैऋर्तास्ते समादिष्टा भर्त्रा वै शूलपाणय: ।

तिग्मदंष्ट्रकरालास्यास्ताम्रश्मश्रुशिरोरुहा: ॥ ३९ ॥

नदन्तो भैरवं नादं छिन्धि भिन्धीति वादिन: ।

आसीनं चाहनञ्शूलै: प्रह्रादं सर्वमर्मसु ॥ ४० ॥

nairṛtās te samādiṣṭā

bhartrā vai śūla-pāṇayaḥ

tigma-daṁṣṭra-karālāsyās

tāmra-śmaśru-śiroruhāḥ

nadanto bhairavaṁ nādaṁ

chindhi bhindhīti vādinaḥ

āsīnaṁ cāhanañ śūlaiḥ

prahrādaṁ sarva-marmasu

Translation

The demons [Rākṣasas], the servants of Hiraṇyakaśipu, thus began striking the tender parts of Prahlāda Mahārāja’s body with their tridents. The demons all had fearful faces, sharp teeth and reddish, coppery beards and hair, and they appeared extremely threatening. Making a tumultuous sound, shouting, “Chop him up! Pierce him!” they began striking Prahlāda Mahārāja, who sat silently, meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remembering the Lord Amid Threats

1
The servants of Hiraṇyakaśipu appeared extremely threatening and shouted as they attacked Prahlāda Mahārāja.
2
They struck the tender parts of his body with their tridents.
3
Prahlāda Mahārāja sat silently, meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His attention remained on the Lord amid the attack.

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

Chapter 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus the King of the demons, Hiraṇyakaśipu, being extremely angry, chastised the teachers, Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka, for having wrongly trained Prahlāda Mahārāja. The so-called teachers informed the King that Prahlāda Mahārāja was automatically a devotee and did not listen to their instructions.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 7.5

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nairṛtāḥthe demons
tethey
samādiṣṭāḥbeing fully advised
bhartrāby their master
vaiindeed
śūla-pāṇayaḥhaving tridents in their hands
tigmavery sharp
daṁṣṭrateeth

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
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.5
In this verse: “fearful”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What helps me keep my attention on the Supreme Personality of Godhead when I feel disturbed?

Practice

Sit quietly for one minute today and meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembering the Lord Amid ThreatsThis 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 7.5.39-40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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