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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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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
10.1.3610.1.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.1.37

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vasudevasince 10.1.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीवसुदेव उवाच

श्लाघनीयगुण: शूरैर्भवान् भोजयशस्कर: । स कथं भगिनीं हन्यात् स्त्रियमुद्वाहपर्वणि ॥ ३७ ॥

śrī-vasudeva uvāca

ślāghanīya-guṇaḥ śūrair

bhavān bhoja-yaśaskaraḥ

sa kathaṁ bhaginīṁ hanyāt

striyam udvāha-parvaṇi

Translation

Vasudeva said: My dear brother-in-law Kaṁsa, you are the pride of your family, the Bhoja dynasty, and great heroes praise your qualities. How could such a qualified person as you kill a woman, your own sister, especially on the occasion of her marriage?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Reasoned Appeals to Prevent Harm

  1. 1

    Vasudeva addressed Kaṁsa as the pride of the Bhoja dynasty, whose qualities great heroes praised. He asked how such a person could kill his own sister at her marriage.

  2. 2

    The purport states that Vedic principles forbid killing a brāhmaṇa, an old man, a woman, a child or a cow under any circumstances.

  3. 3

    Vasudeva stressed that Devakī was Kaṁsa’s sister and another man’s wife. Killing her would implicate Kaṁsa in sin and damage his royal reputation.

Key points from the purport
  • Vasudeva stressed that Devakī was not only a woman but a member of Kaṁsa’s family.
  • Because she was now married to Vasudeva, she was para-strī, another man’s wife, and if such a woman were killed, not only would Kaṁsa be implicated in sinful activities, but his reputation as king of the Bhoja dynasty would be damaged.
  • Thus Vasudeva tried in many ways to convince Kaṁsa in order to stop him from killing Devakī.

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:

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. śrī-vasudevaḥ uvācathe great personality Vasudeva said
  2. ślāghanīya-guṇaḥa person who possesses praiseworthy qualities
  3. śūraiḥby great heroes
  4. bhavānyour good self
  5. bhoja-yaśaḥ-karaḥa brilliant star in the Bhoja dynasty
  6. saḥone such as your good self
  7. kathamhow
  8. bhaginīmyour sister
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.1

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.1

    In this verse: “child”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.1

    In this verse: “principles”

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 Vasudeva appeal to both duty and reputation to protect Devakī?

Practice

Write one calm sentence you could use to discourage a harmful action by appealing to someone’s responsibilities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Reasoned Appeals to Prevent HarmThis 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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