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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
10.13.5510.13.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.56

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.13.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततोऽतिकुतुकोद्‌वृत्यस्तिमितैकादशेन्द्रिय: ।

तद्धाम्नाभूदजस्तूष्णीं पूर्देव्यन्तीव पुत्रिका ॥ ५६ ॥

tato ’tikutukodvṛtya-

stimitaikādaśendriyaḥ

tad-dhāmnābhūd ajas tūṣṇīṁ

pūr-devy-antīva putrikā

Translation

Then, by the power of the effulgence of those viṣṇu-mūrtis, Lord Brahmā, his eleven senses jolted by astonishment and stunned by transcendental bliss, became silent, just like a child’s clay doll in the presence of the village deity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā’s Pride Yields to the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The effulgence of the viṣṇu-mūrtis filled Brahmā with astonishment and transcendental bliss. His senses were stunned, and he could neither speak nor act.

  2. 2

    Brahmā had thought himself the only powerful deity, but his pride was subdued. Though an important demigod, he cannot be equated with Kṛṣṇa, or Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Nārāyaṇa existed before Brahmā or Śiva appeared. Remembering Nārāyaṇa at the end of life is the perfection of life.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā was stunned because of transcendental bliss (muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ).
  • Brahmā, therefore, cannot be compared to God — Kṛṣṇa, or Nārāyaṇa.
  • It is forbidden to compare Nārāyaṇa even to demigods like Brahmā and Śiva, what to speak of others.

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:

Brahmā could then understand Kṛṣṇa’s potency, and he was astonished by the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, his worshipable Lord. Kṛṣṇa, however, bestowed His causeless mercy upon Brahmā and released him from illusion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. atikutuka-udvṛtya-stimita-ekādaśa-indriyaḥwhose eleven senses had all been jolted by great astonishment and then stunned by transcendental bliss
  3. tad-dhāmnāby the effulgence of those viṣṇu-mūrtis
  4. abhūtbecame
  5. ajaḥLord Brahmā
  6. tūṣṇīmsilent
  7. pūḥ-devī-antiin the presence of a village deity ( grāmya-devatā)
  8. ivajust as
  9. putrikāa clay doll made by a child
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “child’s”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “pride”

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

Where do I take too much pride in my own power or importance?

Practice

Pause today to remember Nārāyaṇa and acknowledge that your own power is not supreme.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā’s Pride Yields to the Supreme LordThis 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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