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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura
10.12.2710.12.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.12.28

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The boyssince 10.12.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृत्यं किमत्रास्य खलस्य जीवनं

न वा अमीषां च सतां विहिंसनम् ।

द्वयं कथं स्यादिति संविचिन्त्य

ज्ञात्वाविशत्तुण्डमशेषद‍ृग्घरि: ॥ २८ ॥

kṛtyaṁ kim atrāsya khalasya jīvanaṁ

na vā amīṣāṁ ca satāṁ vihiṁsanam

dvayaṁ kathaṁ syād iti saṁvicintya

jñātvāviśat tuṇḍam aśeṣa-dṛg ghariḥ

Translation

Now, what was to be done? How could both the killing of this demon and the saving of the devotees be performed simultaneously? Kṛṣṇa, being unlimitedly potent, decided to wait for an intelligent means by which He could simultaneously save the boys and kill the demon. Then He entered the mouth of Aghāsura.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Knows How to Save His Devotees

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa considered how to save the devotees and kill the demon at the same time.

  2. 2

    He is known as ananta-vīrya-sarvajña because everything is known to Him. Finding a means to accomplish both tasks was not difficult for Him.

  3. 3

    With unlimited potency and perfect knowledge, Kṛṣṇa decided to enter the demon’s mouth.

Key points from the purport
  • Kṛṣṇa is known as ananta-vīrya-sarvajña because everything is known to Him.
  • Because He knows everything perfectly well, it was not difficult for Him to find a means by which He could save the boys and at the same time kill the demon.
  • Thus He also decided to enter the demon’s mouth.

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:

In the meantime, Kṛṣṇa was thinking of how to save the boys and kill Aghāsura. Thus He entered the mouth of the gigantic asura, and when He was within the demon’s mouth along with His friends, He expanded His body to such an extent that the asura suffocated and died.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛtyam kimwhat to do
  2. atrain this situation
  3. asya khalasyaof this envious demon
  4. jīvanamthe existence of life
  5. nathere should not be
  6. vāeither
  7. amīṣām caand of those who are innocent
  8. satāmof the devotees
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 10.12

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can Kṛṣṇa’s perfect knowledge strengthen your trust in Him?

Practice

Recall one uncertainty you face, and briefly reflect that Kṛṣṇa knows everything perfectly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Knows How to Save His DevoteesThis 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 10.12.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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