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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.14.9

Who is speaking and story frame

पश्येश मेऽनार्यमनन्त आद्ये

परात्मनि त्वय्यपि मायिमायिनि ।

मायां वितत्येक्षितुमात्मवैभवं

ह्यहं कियानैच्छमिवार्चिरग्नौ ॥ ९ ॥

paśyeśa me ’nāryam ananta ādye

parātmani tvayy api māyi-māyini

māyāṁ vitatyekṣitum ātma-vaibhavaṁ

hy ahaṁ kiyān aiccham ivārcir agnau

Translation

My Lord, just see my uncivilized impudence! To test Your power I tried to extend my illusory potency to cover You, the unlimited and primeval Supersoul, who bewilder even the masters of illusion. What am I compared to You? I am just like a small spark in the presence of a great fire.

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.

A Spark Cannot Challenge the Fire

  1. 1

    Brahmā’s attempt to bewilder Kṛṣṇa was like a small spark trying to burn the fire that produced it. Even the universe’s creator is insignificant beside the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is the supreme master of everyone, including Brahmā. Brahmā creates the universe directly under His guidance.

  3. 3

    Ashamed of his impudence, Brahmā was willing to accept either punishment or forgiveness. Kṛṣṇa kindly disciplines His devotees to protect their devotional sentiments and guide them back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, even the creator of the entire universe, Lord Brahmā, is an insignificant spark of the potency of God, and therefore Brahmā’s attempt to bewilder the Supreme Lord was certainly ludicrous.
  • Brahmā felt ashamed of his impudent attempt at deluding Lord Kṛṣṇa, and he was therefore perfectly willing to be punished or forgiven by the Lord, according to His decision.
  • Therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa kindly disciplines His devotees and maintains them on the progressive path back home, back to Godhead.

The purport'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 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The mystery of the Personality of Godhead, who is the reservoir of unlimited spiritual qualities, is inconceivable; it is even more difficult to understand than the impersonal Supreme. Thus only by the mercy of God can one understand His glories.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. paśyajust see
  2. īśaO Lord
  3. memy
  4. anāryamcontemptible behavior
  5. ananteagainst the unlimited
  6. ādyethe primeval
  7. para-ātmanithe Supersoul
  8. tvayiYou
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “devotional”, “devotees”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “protect”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might pride in my abilities interfere with accepting Kṛṣṇa as my master?

Practice

Recall one ability you feel proud of and offer a short prayer acknowledging your dependence on Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Spark Cannot Challenge the FireThis 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 10.14.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.