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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
10.12.4110.12.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.12.42

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 10.12.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तद् ब्रूहि मे महायोगिन्परं कौतूहलं गुरो ।

नूनमेतद्धरेरेव माया भवति नान्यथा ॥ ४२ ॥

tad brūhi me mahā-yogin

paraṁ kautūhalaṁ guro

nūnam etad dharer eva

māyā bhavati nānyathā

Translation

O greatest yogī, my spiritual master, kindly describe why this happened. I am very much curious to know about it. I think that it was nothing but another illusion due to Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Inquire About Kṛṣṇa’s Wonderful Potencies

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa has many potencies. Some act of His potency must have been involved in the account of Aghāsura being disclosed after one year.

  2. 2

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit was very curious to understand why this had happened.

  3. 3

    He respectfully requested his spiritual master, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, to explain it, thinking it was another illusion due to Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • The description of Aghāsura was disclosed after one year.
  • Some act of Kṛṣṇa’s potency must have been involved.
  • Therefore Mahārāja Parīkṣit was very curious to know about this, and he requested Śukadeva Gosvāmī to explain it.

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:

Parīkṣit Mahārāja inquired, “Why is it that this pastime was disclosed only after one year and yet the inhabitants of Vraja thought that it had been performed that very day?” With this question, the Twelfth Chapter ends.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat brūhitherefore please explain that
  2. meunto me
  3. mahā-yoginO great yogī
  4. paramvery much
  5. kautūhalamcuriosity
  6. guroO my lord, my spiritual master
  7. nūnamotherwise
  8. etatthis incident
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I bring both curiosity and respect to my spiritual questions?

Practice

Formulate one respectful question about Kṛṣṇa’s potency that you would like to ask a spiritual teacher.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayInquire About Kṛṣṇa’s Wonderful PotenciesThis 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 10.12.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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