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

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 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 10 · Chapter 1: The Advent of Lord Kṛṣṇa: Introduction
10.1.2910.1.31-32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.1.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.1.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

उग्रसेनसुत: कंस: स्वसु: प्रियचिकीर्षया । रश्मीन् हयानां जग्राह रौक्‍मै रथशतैर्वृत: ॥ ३० ॥

ugrasena-sutaḥ kaṁsaḥ

svasuḥ priya-cikīrṣayā

raśmīn hayānāṁ jagrāha

raukmai ratha-śatair vṛtaḥ

Translation

Kaṁsa, the son of King Ugrasena, in order to please his sister Devakī on the occasion of her marriage, took charge of the reins of the horses and became the chariot driver. He was surrounded by hundreds of golden chariots.

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.

Affection Expressed Through Personal Service

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa was the son of King Ugrasena and the brother of Devakī.

  2. 2

    To please his sister on her marriage occasion, he took the horses’ reins and became her chariot driver.

  3. 3

    Hundreds of golden chariots surrounded him during this departure.

How it feels

Terror → Wonder and relief. The threat of destruction yields to divine appearance.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 10: Threat from Kaṁsa and Kṛṣṇa's birth. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Advent of Lord Kṛṣṇa: Introduction

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Vasudeva stressed that it would not be good for Kaṁsa to kill his younger sister, especially at the time of her marriage. Anyone who possesses a material body must die, Vasudeva advised him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ugrasena-sutaḥthe son of Ugrasena
  2. kaṁsaḥby the name Kaṁsa
  3. svasuḥof his own sister Devakī
  4. priya-cikīrṣayāto please her on the occasion of her marriage
  5. raśmīnthe reins
  6. hayānāmof the horses
  7. jagrāhatook
  8. raukmaiḥmade of gold
  9. ratha-śataiḥby hundreds of chariots
  10. vṛtaḥsurrounded
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.1

    In this verse: “king”

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 did Kaṁsa express his wish to please his sister?

Practice

Offer one small act of practical help to a family member today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection Expressed Through Personal 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 10.1.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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