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 9: Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with Prayers
7.9.167.9.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.9.17

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Prahlāda Mahārājasince 7.9.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

यस्मात् प्रियाप्रियवियोगसंयोगजन्म-

शोकाग्निना सकलयोनिषु दह्यमान: ।

दु:खौषधं तदपि दु:खमतद्धियाहं

भूमन्भ्रमामि वद मे तव दास्ययोगम् ॥ १७ ॥

yasmāt priyāpriya-viyoga-saṁyoga-janma-

śokāgninā sakala-yoniṣu dahyamānaḥ

duḥkhauṣadhaṁ tad api duḥkham atad-dhiyāhaṁ

bhūman bhramāmi vada me tava dāsya-yogam

Translation

O great one, O Supreme Lord, because of combination with pleasing and displeasing circumstances and because of separation from them, one is placed in a most regrettable position, within heavenly or hellish planets, as if burning in a fire of lamentation. Although there are many remedies by which to get out of miserable life, any such remedies in the material world are more miserable than the miseries themselves. Therefore I think that the only remedy is to engage in Your service. Kindly instruct me in such service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Is the Real Remedy

  1. 1

    Prahlāda Mahārāja sought service to the Lord rather than his father’s vast wealth. Material difficulties remain whether one is rich or poor, in heavenly or hellish conditions.

  2. 2

    Material opulence may bring temporary pleasure, but attaining it requires much hardship. Material remedies do not free one from the miseries of conditional life.

  3. 3

    The real remedy is to become Kṛṣṇa conscious and constantly engage in the Lord’s transcendental loving service. Prahlāda therefore asked the Lord to instruct him in that service.

Key points from the purport
  • Prahlāda Mahārāja aspired to engage in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord.
  • The fact is that in material life, whether one is miserable or happy, both conditions are miserable.
  • If one actually wants happy, blissful life, one must become Kṛṣṇa conscious and constantly engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

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 9: Prahlāda Pacifies Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva with Prayers

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore the ultimate goal of life for every living entity is to attain the position of being servant of the servant of the Lord. The miserable condition of the living entities in the material world can be remedied only by the mercy of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasmātbecause of which (because of existing in the material world)
  2. priyapleasing
  3. apriyanot pleasing
  4. viyogaby separation
  5. saṁyogaand combination
  6. janmawhose birth
  7. śoka-agnināby the fire of lamentation
  8. sakala-yoniṣuin any type of body
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 7.9

    In this verse: “separation”, “lamentation”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.9

    In this verse: “material”, “wealth”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.9

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where are you expecting a change in material circumstances to give you lasting happiness?

Practice

Offer Prahlāda’s request today: ask the Lord to instruct you in His loving service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayLoving Service Is the Real RemedyThis 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 7.9.17? 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