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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.14.5710.14.59

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.14.58

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.14.50inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

समाश्रिता ये पदपल्लवप्लवं

महत्पदं पुण्ययशो मुरारे: ।

भवाम्बुधिर्वत्सपदं परं पदं

पदं पदं यद् विपदां न तेषाम् ॥ ५८ ॥

samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ

mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ

bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ

padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām

Translation

For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is paraṁ padam, Vaikuṇṭha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet

  1. 1

    For those who accept the boat of the Lord’s lotus feet, the ocean of material existence becomes like water in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is Vaikuṇṭha, where there are no material miseries.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet are tender like flower buds and like desire trees that fulfill His pure devotees’ desires. Even exalted devotees who shelter others personally take shelter of His feet.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all pleasure and the ultimate object of everyone’s love. Taking shelter of Him directs our love toward its true goal.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet are described as pallava, flower buds, because they are most tender and of a pinkish hue.
  • According to Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, the word pallava also indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet are just like desire trees, which can fulfill all the desires of the Lord’s pure devotees.
  • Even exalted devotees like Śrī Nārada, who are themselves the great shelter for the conditioned souls in this universe, personally take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 5

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.22.13

This material world is said to be padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām, dangerous in every step.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.26.16

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.58) it is said, padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām: this material world is not actually a place of residence for an intelligent person or a devotee because here there is danger at every step.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.1.19

It is therefore said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.58): For one who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, everything becomes easier.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.9.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.58) therefore says: The Lord’s lotus feet are an indestructible boat, and if one takes shelter of that boat he can easily cross the ocean of nescience.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.1.5-7

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.58): “For one who has accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, or the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoofprint.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, later they related to the residents of Vṛndāvana the incident of Kṛṣṇa’s killing the Agha demon. In this way, the cowherd boys described pastimes that Lord Kṛṣṇa had performed in His bālya age (one to five), even though His paugaṇḍa age (six to ten) had begun.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. samāśritāḥhaving taken shelter
  2. yethose who
  3. padaof the feet
  4. pallavalike flower buds
  5. plavamwhich are a boat
  6. mahatof the total material creation, or of the great souls
  7. padamthe shelter
  8. puṇyasupremely pious
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would it mean for me to seek shelter in Kṛṣṇa rather than lasting safety in the material world?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking Lord Kṛṣṇa for shelter at His lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus FeetOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 10.14.58? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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