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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
10.13.6210.13.64

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.63

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

उत्थायोत्थाय कृष्णस्य चिरस्य पादयो: पतन् ।

आस्ते महित्वं प्राग्द‍ृष्टं स्मृत्वा स्मृत्वा पुन: पुन: ॥ ६३ ॥

utthāyotthāya kṛṣṇasya

cirasya pādayoḥ patan

āste mahitvaṁ prāg-dṛṣṭaṁ

smṛtvā smṛtvā punaḥ punaḥ

Translation

Rising and falling again and again at the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa for a long time, Lord Brahmā remembered over and over the Lord’s greatness he had just seen.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s Greatness with Devotion

  1. 1

    Brahmā repeatedly rose and fell at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, remembering the Lord’s greatness. He was falling down in ecstasy.

  2. 2

    The prayer praises Nanda Mahārāja because the Supreme Brahman crawls in his courtyard. Its speaker chooses to worship Nanda Mahārāja.

  3. 3

    Although Kṛṣṇa exactly resembled a human child, Brahmā understood that He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Astonished by His presence, Brahmā offered prayers with a faltering voice.

Key points from the purport
  • Nanda Mahārāja is so great that the Parabrahman is crawling in his yard, and therefore I shall worship him.”
  • Because of the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who exactly resembled a human child, Brahmā was naturally astonished.
  • Therefore with a faltering voice he offered prayers, understanding that here was the Supreme Person.

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. utthāya utthāyarising repeatedly
  2. kṛṣṇasyaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  3. cirasyafor a long time
  4. pādayoḥat the lotus feet
  5. patanfalling down
  6. āsteremained
  7. mahitvamthe greatness
  8. prāk-dṛṣṭamwhich he had previously seen
  9. smṛtvā smṛtvāremembering and remembering
  10. punaḥ punaḥagain and again
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: “nanda”, “child”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “worship”

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

How can remembering Kṛṣṇa’s greatness deepen the devotion in my prayers?

Practice

Today, spend one quiet minute remembering Kṛṣṇa’s greatness described here, then offer Him a short prayer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognizing Kṛṣṇa’s Greatness with DevotionThis 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 10.13.63? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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