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

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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 1 · Chapter 10: Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa for Dvārakā
1.10.311.10.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.10.32

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.10.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अजातशत्रु: पृतनां गोपीथाय मधुद्विष: ।

परेभ्य: शङ्कित: स्‍नेहात्प्रायुङ्क्त चतुरङ्गिणीम् ॥ ३२ ॥

ajāta-śatruḥ pṛtanāṁ

gopīthāya madhu-dviṣaḥ

parebhyaḥ śaṅkitaḥ snehāt

prāyuṅkta catur-aṅgiṇīm

Translation

Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, although no one’s enemy, engaged four divisions of defense [horse, elephant, chariot and army] to accompany Lord Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of the asuras [demons]. The Mahārāja did this because of the enemy, and also out of affection for the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Accepts His Devotees’ Loving Care

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira knew that Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s friend and well-wisher, yet some were envious of Him. Out of affection and concern about attack, he arranged four divisions of defense.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa was fully able to protect Himself, but He accepted the arrangements of His elder cousin. In His transcendental pastimes, the Lord sometimes accepts a subordinate position.

  3. 3

    The exchanges between the Lord and His devotees bring incomparable transcendental bliss. His acceptance of loving protection is a pastime, not a sign of actual helplessness.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira knew well that Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s friend and well-wisher, and yet there were asuras who were by nature envious of the Lord.
  • So out of fear of attack from others and out of affection also, he engaged all varieties of defensive forces as bodyguards of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • If required, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself was sufficient to defend Himself from the attack of others who counted the Lord as their enemy, but still He accepted all the arrangements made by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira because He could not disobey the King, who was His elder cousin.

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

Longing → Joy and continuity. Departure and welcome coexist; Parīkṣit embodies continuity of grace.

Chapters 10–12 of Canto 1: Kṛṣṇa returns to Dvārakā; Parīkṣit is born. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa for Dvārakā

Kṛṣṇa leaves Hastināpura for Dvārakā amid His relatives’ affection and praise.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ajāta-śatruḥMahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, who was no one’s enemy
  2. pṛtanāmdefensive forces
  3. gopīthāyafor giving protection
  4. madhu-dviṣaḥof the enemy of Madhu (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
  5. parebhyaḥfrom others (enemies)
  6. śaṅkitaḥbeing afraid of
  7. snehātout of affection
  8. prāyuṅktaengaged
  9. catuḥ-aṅginīmfour defensive divisions
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 1.10

    In this verse: “protect”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.10

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.10

    In this verse: “friend”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Kṛṣṇa’s acceptance of loving care deepen my understanding of service?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, remember that the Lord accepts loving care even though He needs no protection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Accepts His Devotees’ Loving CareThis 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.

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