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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 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā
10.13.310.13.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.4

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.13.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तथाघवदनान्मृत्यो रक्षित्वा वत्सपालकान् ।

सरित्पुलिनमानीय भगवानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ४ ॥

tathāgha-vadanān mṛtyo

rakṣitvā vatsa-pālakān

sarit-pulinam ānīya

bhagavān idam abravīt

Translation

Then, after saving the boys and calves from the mouth of Aghāsura, who was death personified, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, brought them all to the bank of the river and spoke the following words.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Saves the Boys and Calves

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa saved the cowherd boys and calves from the mouth of Aghāsura, who was death personified.

  2. 2

    The verse identifies Lord Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    After saving them, Kṛṣṇa brought everyone to the riverbank and began to speak.

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 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although the incident concerning Aghāsura had been performed one year before, when the cowherd boys were five years old, when they were six years old they said, “It happened today.” What happened was this.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāthereafter
  2. agha-vadanātfrom the mouth of Aghāsura
  3. mṛtyoḥdeath personified
  4. rakṣitvāafter saving
  5. vatsa-pālakānall the cowherd boys and calves
  6. sarit-pulinamto the bank of the river
  7. ānīyabringing them
  8. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa
  9. idamthese words
  10. abravītspoke
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “death”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “saved”

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

What do I appreciate about Kṛṣṇa’s care for the boys and calves?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute remembering Kṛṣṇa bringing the rescued boys and calves to the riverbank.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Saves the Boys and CalvesThis 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 10.13.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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