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 10: The Deliverance of the Yamala-arjuna Trees
10.10.1910.10.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.10.20-22

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.10.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदिमौ लोकपालस्य पुत्रौ भूत्वा तम:प्लुतौ ।

न विवाससमात्मानं विजानीत: सुदुर्मदौ ॥ २० ॥

अतोऽर्हत: स्थावरतां स्यातां नैवं यथा पुन: ।

स्मृति: स्यान्मत्प्रसादेन तत्रापि मदनुग्रहात् ॥ २१ ॥

वासुदेवस्य सान्निध्यं लब्ध्वा दिव्यशरच्छते ।

वृत्ते स्वर्लोकतां भूयो लब्धभक्ती भविष्यत: ॥ २२ ॥

yad imau loka-pālasya

putrau bhūtvā tamaḥ-plutau

na vivāsasam ātmānaṁ

vijānītaḥ sudurmadau

ato ’rhataḥ sthāvaratāṁ

syātāṁ naivaṁ yathā punaḥ

smṛtiḥ syān mat-prasādena

tatrāpi mad-anugrahāt

vāsudevasya sānnidhyaṁ

labdhvā divya-śarac-chate

vṛtte svarlokatāṁ bhūyo

labdha-bhaktī bhaviṣyataḥ

Translation

These two young men, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, are by fortune the sons of the great demigod Kuvera, but because of false prestige and madness after drinking liquor, they are so fallen that they are naked but cannot understand that they are. Therefore, because they are living like trees (for trees are naked but are not conscious), these two young men should receive the bodies of trees. This will be proper punishment. Nonetheless, after they become trees and until they are released, by my mercy they will have remembrance of their past sinful activities. Moreover, by my special favor, after the expiry of one hundred years by the measurement of the demigods, they will be able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, face to face, and thus revive their real position as devotees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy Restores Pure Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva were to become trees but retain remembrance of their wrongdoing. Nārada Muni arranged that they would see Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and revive their dormant bhakti.

  2. 2

    A mixed devotee seeks material enjoyment through devotion, whereas a pure devotee desires no material enjoyment. Direct contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service keeps one pure.

  3. 3

    Pure bhakti does not depend on karma, jñāna or yoga; it consists simply of loving service. Nārada Muni’s so-called curse gave the brothers an opportunity to become purified devotees and return to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • But Nārada Muni wanted the consciousness of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva to continue, so that even after being released from the life of trees, they would not forget the circumstances under which they had been punished.
  • Therefore, to bestow upon them special favor, Nārada Muni arranged things in such a way that after being released, they would be able to see Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana and thus revive their dormant bhakti.
  • Although the demigods in the upper planetary system are attached to material enjoyment, they are all devotees, and therefore they are called demigods.

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

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Deliverance of the Yamala-arjuna Trees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa, by the desire of His devotee, uprooted these yamala-arjuna trees, and when Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva were thus delivered by Kṛṣṇa after one hundred years of the devas, their old consciousness revived, and they offered Kṛṣṇa prayers suitable to be offered by demigods. Having thus gotten the opportunity to see Kṛṣṇa face to face, they understood how merciful Nārada Muni was, and therefore they expressed their indebtedness to him and thanked him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatbecause
  2. imauthese two young demigods
  3. loka-pālasyaof the great demigod Kuvera
  4. putrauborn as sons
  5. bhūtvābeing so (they should not have become like that)
  6. tamaḥ-plutauso absorbed in the mode of darkness
  7. nanot
  8. vivāsasamwithout any dress, completely naked
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.10

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.10

    In this verse: “mercy”, “favor”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.10

    In this verse: “sinful”, “purified”

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

Am I seeking material rewards through devotion, or learning to serve Kṛṣṇa simply out of love?

Practice

Spend a few minutes in devotional service today without asking for any material benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMercy Restores Pure Devotional 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 10.10.20-22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.