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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.1.44 10.1.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.1.45

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

एषा तवानुजा बाला कृपणा पुत्रिकोपमा । हन्तुं नार्हसि कल्याणीमिमां त्वं दीनवत्सल: ॥ ४५ ॥

eṣā tavānujā bālā

kṛpaṇā putrikopamā

hantuṁ nārhasi kalyāṇīm

imāṁ tvaṁ dīna-vatsalaḥ

Translation

As your younger sister, this poor girl Devakī is like your own daughter and deserves to be affectionately maintained. You are merciful, and therefore you should not kill her. Indeed, she deserves your affection.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offer Affection Instead of Harm

1
Devakī is presented as a younger sister who deserves affectionate care.
2
She is like a daughter to her elder brother. This relationship calls for protection, not harm.
3
The appeal asks him to act mercifully and spare her life. She deserves his affection.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.1

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

eṣāthis
tavayour
anujāyounger sister
bālāinnocent woman
kṛpaṇācompletely dependent on you
putrikā-upamāexactly like your own daughter
hantumto kill her
nanot

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
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.1
In this verse: “merciful”, “mercifully”
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.1
In this verse: “protection”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Who in my care needs more affection from me?

Practice

Offer one small act of affectionate care to a family member today.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer Affection Instead of 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.1.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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