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 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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 10 · Chapter 1: The Advent of Lord Kṛṣṇa: Introduction
10.1.3410.1.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.1.35

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.1.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्युक्त: स खल: पापो भोजानां कुलपांसन: । भगिनीं हन्तुमारब्धं खड्‍गपाणि: कचेऽग्रहीत् ॥ ३५ ॥

ity uktaḥ sa khalaḥ pāpo

bhojānāṁ kula-pāṁsanaḥ

bhaginīṁ hantum ārabdhaḥ

khaḍga-pāṇiḥ kace ’grahīt

Translation

Kaṁsa was a condemned personality in the Bhoja dynasty because he was envious and sinful. Therefore, upon hearing this omen from the sky, he caught hold of his sister’s hair with his left hand and took up his sword with his right hand to sever her head from her body.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Self-Interest Can Overturn Apparent Affection

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa was envious and sinful, bringing disgrace upon the Bhoja dynasty. Hearing the omen, he seized his sister’s hair and raised his sword to kill her.

  2. 2

    He had affectionately acted as her chariot driver, but forgot that affection when he thought his life was at risk.

  3. 3

    The purport calls this the nature of demons and warns against trusting their displays of affection. Kaṁsa’s personal interest immediately turned him into an enemy.

Key points from the purport
  • Kaṁsa was driving the chariot and controlling the reins with his left hand, but as soon as he heard the omen that his sister’s eighth child would kill him, he gave up the reins, caught hold of his sister’s hair, and with his right hand took up a sword to kill her.
  • Before, he had been so affectionate that he was acting as his sister’s chariot driver, but as soon as he heard that his self-interest or his life was at risk, he forgot all affection for her and immediately became a great enemy.
  • No one should trust a demon, despite any amount of affection.

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 → 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:

If a person under this mistaken conception wants to kill another body, he is condemned as hellish. Because Kaṁsa was not satisfied by Vasudeva’s instructions, Vasudeva devised a plan.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. iti uktaḥthus being addressed
  2. saḥhe (Kaṁsa)
  3. khalaḥenvious
  4. pāpaḥsinful
  5. bhojānāmof the Bhoja dynasty
  6. kula-pāṁsanaḥone who can degrade the reputation of his family
  7. bhaginīmunto his sister
  8. hantum ārabdhambeing inclined to kill
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.1

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.1

    In this verse: “sinful”

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

When my interests feel threatened, does my care for others weaken?

Practice

When a preference is frustrated today, pause before responding and avoid harsh words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySelf-Interest Can Overturn Apparent AffectionThis 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 10.1.35? 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