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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 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura
10.12.1210.12.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.12.13

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.12.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथाघनामाभ्यपतन्महासुर-

स्तेषां सुखक्रीडनवीक्षणाक्षम: ।

नित्यं यदन्तर्निजजीवितेप्सुभि:

पीतामृतैरप्यमरै: प्रतीक्ष्यते ॥ १३ ॥

athāgha-nāmābhyapatan mahāsuras

teṣāṁ sukha-krīḍana-vīkṣaṇākṣamaḥ

nityaṁ yad-antar nija-jīvitepsubhiḥ

pītāmṛtair apy amaraiḥ pratīkṣyate

Translation

My dear King Parīkṣit, thereafter there appeared a great demon named Aghāsura, whose death was being awaited even by the demigods. The demigods drank nectar every day, but still they feared this great demon and awaited his death. This demon could not tolerate the transcendental pleasure being enjoyed in the forest by the cowherd boys.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Variety Within Kṛṣṇa’s Transcendental Pastimes

  1. 1

    Aghāsura could not tolerate the cowherd boys’ transcendental pleasure. Even the demigods, though drinking nectar daily, feared him and awaited his death.

  2. 2

    By the arrangement of Yoga-māyā, Aghāsura appeared at lunchtime. His arrival interrupted the boys’ continuous play so that they could stop their activities and take lunch.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that changing varieties is the mother of enjoyment. A demon’s interruption did not end their transcendental pleasure: after the demon was killed, the boys resumed their pastimes.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura answers this question by saying that although the transcendental pleasure being enjoyed by the cowherd boys could not be stopped, unless they stopped the transcendental pleasure of their various activities they could not eat their lunch.
  • Therefore at lunchtime Aghāsura appeared by the arrangement of Yoga-māyā, so that for the time being they could stop their activities and take lunch.
  • The demon would be killed, and then the boys would engage again in their transcendental pastimes.

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

Peril and pride → Friendship and humility. Divinity is revealed amid intimate childhood play.

Chapters 12–19 of Canto 10: Childhood dangers and Brahmā's amazement. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One day Kṛṣṇa wanted to enjoy a picnic lunch within the forest, and therefore He went out early into the forest with the other cowherd boys, accompanied by their respective groups of calves. While they were enjoying their picnic, Aghāsura, the younger brother of Pūtanā and Bakāsura, appeared there, desiring to kill Kṛṣṇa and His companions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathereafter
  2. agha-nāmaa very powerful demon by the name Agha
  3. abhyapatatappeared on the spot
  4. mahā-asuraḥa great, extremely powerful demon
  5. teṣāmof the cowherd boys
  6. sukha-krīḍanathe enjoyment of their transcendental pastimes
  7. vīkṣaṇa-akṣamaḥbeing unable to see, he could not tolerate the transcendental happiness of the cowherd boys
  8. nityamperpetually
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “feared”, “death”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the purport change your understanding of this interruption to the boys’ play?

Practice

Reread the purport and note how it distinguishes a pause in play from an end to transcendental pleasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVariety Within Kṛṣṇa’s Transcendental PastimesThis 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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