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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
7.8.537.8.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.8.54

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The inhabitants of Vaitālika-lokasince 7.8.54inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

श्रीवैतालिका ऊचु:

सभासु सत्रेषु तवामलं यशो

गीत्वा सपर्यां महतीं लभामहे ।

यस्तामनैषीद् वशमेष दुर्जनो

द्विष्टय‍ा हतस्ते भगवन्यथामय: ॥ ५४ ॥

śrī-vaitālikā ūcuḥ

sabhāsu satreṣu tavāmalaṁ yaśo

gītvā saparyāṁ mahatīṁ labhāmahe

yas tām anaiṣīd vaśam eṣa durjano

dviṣṭyā hatas te bhagavan yathāmayaḥ

Translation

The inhabitants of Vaitālika-loka said: Dear Lord, because of chanting Your spotless glories in great assemblies and arenas of sacrifice, we were accustomed to great respect from everyone. This demon, however, usurped that position. Now, to our great fortune, You have killed this great demon, exactly as one cures a chronic disease.

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.

Gratitude for Restored Service

  1. 1

    The inhabitants of Vaitālika-loka chanted the Lord's spotless glories in great assemblies and arenas of sacrifice. Through this service, they received great respect.

  2. 2

    Hiraṇyakaśipu usurped their respected position. Their prayer recalls how he had brought it under his control.

  3. 3

    They regard the Lord's destruction of the demon as their great fortune. They compare this relief to the curing of a chronic disease.

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:

These included the great saintly persons, the Pitās, the Siddhas, the Vidyādharas, the Nāgas, the Manus, the prajāpatis, the Gandharvas, the Cāraṇas, the Yakṣas, the Kimpuruṣas, the Vaitālikas, the Kinnaras and also many other varieties of beings in human form. All of them stood not far from the Supreme Personality of Godhead and began offering their prayers unto the Lord, whose spiritual effulgence was brilliant as He sat on the throne.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-vaitālikāḥ ūcuḥthe inhabitants of Vaitālika-loka said
  2. sabhāsuin great assemblies
  3. satreṣuin the arenas of sacrifice
  4. tavaYour
  5. amalamwithout any spot of material contamination
  6. yaśaḥreputation
  7. gītvāsinging
  8. saparyāmrespectful position
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 7.8

    In this verse: “chanting”, “chanted”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I express gratitude for the opportunity to glorify the Lord?

Practice

Speak or sing one sentence praising the Lord's spotless glories today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGratitude for Restored ServiceThis 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 7.8.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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