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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 8: Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva Slays the King of the Demons
7.8.467.8.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.8.47

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The inhabitants of Nāgalokasince 7.8.47inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

श्रीनागा ऊचु:

येन पापेन रत्नानि स्त्रीरत्नानि हृतानि न: ।

तद्वक्ष:पाटनेनासां दत्तानन्द नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ४७ ॥

śrī-nāgā ūcuḥ

yena pāpena ratnāni

strī-ratnāni hṛtāni naḥ

tad-vakṣaḥ-pāṭanenāsāṁ

dattānanda namo ’stu te

Translation

The inhabitants of Nāgaloka said: The most sinful Hiraṇyakaśipu took away all the jewels on our hoods and all our beautiful wives. Now, since his chest has been pierced by Your nails, You are the source of all pleasure to our wives. Thus we together offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Relief From Oppression Inspires Gratitude

  1. 1

    The inhabitants of Nāgaloka were in great anxiety because Hiraṇyakaśipu had stolen their wealth and kidnapped their wives. No one is peaceful when these are forcibly taken away.

  2. 2

    After Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed, their wealth and wives were returned. Relieved and satisfied, they together offered respectful obeisances to the Lord.

  3. 3

    The purport describes similar harassment under demoniac governments in Kali-yuga. Scarcity of food and heavy taxation disturb the people's peace.

Key points from the purport
  • All the inhabitants of Nāgaloka, which is situated below the earthly planetary system, were in great anxiety because their wealth had been stolen and their wives kidnapped by Hiraṇyakaśipu.
  • The inhabitants of various lokas, or planets, offered their respectful obeisances unto the Lord because they were relieved by the death of Hiraṇyakaśipu.
  • In other words, the people in most parts of the world in this age are harassed by the ruling principles of Hiraṇyakaśipu.

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:

The Lord performed His pastimes by fighting with the demon for some time, and in the evening, on the border between day and night, the Lord captured the demon, threw him on His lap, and killed him by piercing his abdomen with His nails. The Lord not only killed Hiraṇyakaśipu, the King of the demons, but also killed many of his followers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.8
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-nāgāḥ ūcuḥthe inhabitants of Nāgaloka, who look like serpents, said
  2. yenaby which person
  3. pāpenathe most sinful (Hiraṇyakaśipu)
  4. ratnānithe jewels on our hoods
  5. strī-ratnānibeautiful wives
  6. hṛtānitaken away
  7. naḥour
  8. tathis
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 7.8

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.8

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.8

    In this verse: “governments”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I receive relief from anxiety, do I remember to offer gratitude to the Lord?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to the Lord today, thanking Him for one relief you have received.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.8's connections

Live this todayRelief From Oppression Inspires GratitudeThis 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 7.8.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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