1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

123456789101112131415

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 8: Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons
7.8.327.8.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.8.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Hiraṇyakaśipusince 7.8.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

द्यौस्तत्सटोत्क्षिप्तविमानसङ्कुला

प्रोत्सर्पत क्ष्मा च पदाभिपीडिता ।

शैला: समुत्पेतुरमुष्य रंहसा

तत्तेजसा खं ककुभो न रेजिरे ॥ ३३ ॥

dyaus tat-saṭotkṣipta-vimāna-saṅkulā

protsarpata kṣmā ca padābhipīḍitā

śailāḥ samutpetur amuṣya raṁhasā

tat-tejasā khaṁ kakubho na rejire

Translation

Airplanes were thrown into outer space and the upper planetary system by the hair on Nṛsiṁhadeva’s head. Because of the pressure of the Lord’s lotus feet, the earth appeared to slip from its position, and all the hills and mountains sprang up due to His intolerable force. Because of the Lord’s bodily effulgence, both the sky and all directions diminished in their natural illumination.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ancient Civilization and the Lord’s Majesty

  1. 1

    The verse describes airplanes being thrown upward by the Lord’s hair, the earth shifting under His lotus feet, and natural light dimming before His effulgence.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the mention of airplanes as evidence that advanced civilization existed long ago in both upper and lower planetary systems.

  3. 3

    The purport teaches that Vedic civilization existed from the creation of the universe. It included arrangements throughout the universe with modern amenities and even more.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was spoken five thousand years ago, and the statements of this verse prove that the symptoms of a very advanced civilization then existed, even in the upper planetary systems, as well as in the lower planetary systems.
  • Modern scientists and philosophers foolishly explain that there was no civilization prior to three thousand years ago, but the statement of this verse nullifies such whimsical judgments.
  • The Vedic civilization existed millions and millions of years ago.

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

Terror and divine fury → Protection and compassion. The crisis resolves through relationship rather than domination.

Chapters 8–10 of Canto 7: Nṛsiṁhadeva appears; Prahlāda pacifies Him. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Hiraṇyakaśipu was so angry that Prahlāda Mahārāja fell down at his feet and said many things just to pacify him, but he was unsuccessful in satisfying his demoniac father.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dyauḥouter space
  2. tat-saṭāby His hair
  3. utkṣiptathrown up
  4. vimāna-saṅkulāfilled with airplanes
  5. protsarpataslipped out of place
  6. kṣmāthe planet earth
  7. caalso
  8. pada-abhipīḍitādistressed due to the heavy weight of the lotus feet of the Lord
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What assumptions about ancient civilization does this purport ask me to reconsider?

Practice

Write one sentence summarizing the purport’s understanding of ancient Vedic civilization.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAncient Civilization and the Lord’s MajestyThis 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 7.8.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories