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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
10.13.4910.13.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.50

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

चन्द्रिकाविशदस्मेरै: सारुणापाङ्गवीक्षितै: ।

स्वकार्थानामिव रज:सत्त्वाभ्यां स्रष्टृपालका: ॥ ५० ॥

candrikā-viśada-smeraiḥ

sāruṇāpāṅga-vīkṣitaiḥ

svakārthānām iva rajaḥ-

sattvābhyāṁ sraṣṭṛ-pālakāḥ

Translation

Those Viṣṇu forms, by Their pure smiling, which resembled the increasing light of the moon, and by the sidelong glances of Their reddish eyes, created and protected the desires of Their own devotees, as if by the modes of passion and goodness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Awakens Desires to Serve

  1. 1

    The Viṣṇu forms blessed and protected Their devotees through clear glances and smiles resembling increasing moonlight.

  2. 2

    Their affection is transcendental, not contaminated by the material modes. Here, rajaḥ means affection rather than material passion.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s sidelong glances create varied desires connected with Kṛṣṇa and devotional service. These desires are eagerness for everlasting transcendental service, not material desires.

Key points from the purport
  • Those Viṣṇu forms blessed the devotees with Their clear glances and smiles, which resembled the increasingly full light of the moon (śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇam).
  • Their smiles resembled the mode of goodness, protecting all the desires of the devotees, and the glancing of Their eyes resembled the mode of passion.
  • Therefore Sanātana Gosvāmī comments that because the desires of devotees whose attention is fixed on Kṛṣṇa have already been fulfilled, the Lord’s sidelong glances create variegated desires in relation to Kṛṣṇa and devotional service.

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 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then Kṛṣṇa exhibited all the calves and cowherd boys as four-armed forms of Nārāyaṇa. Brahmā could then understand Kṛṣṇa’s potency, and he was astonished by the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, his worshipable Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. candrikā-viśada-smeraiḥby pure smiling like the full, increasing moonlight
  2. sa-aruṇa-apāṅga-vīkṣitaiḥby the clear glances of Their reddish eyes
  3. svaka-arthānāmof the desires of His own devotees
  4. ivajust as
  5. rajaḥ-sattvābhyāmby the modes of passion and goodness
  6. sraṣṭṛ-pālakāḥwere creators and protectors
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 10.13

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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protected”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “material”

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 desire to serve Kṛṣṇa would you like to nurture?

Practice

Write down one small act of devotional service you would like to offer Kṛṣṇa, and take its first step today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Awakens Desires to ServeThis 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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