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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon
10.15.10-1210.15.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.15.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

चकोरक्रौञ्चचक्राह्वभारद्वाजांश्च बर्हिण: ।

अनुरौति स्म सत्त्वानां भीतवद् व्याघ्रसिंहयो: ॥ १३ ॥

cakora-krauñca-cakrāhva-

bhāradvājāṁś ca barhiṇaḥ

anurauti sma sattvānāṁ

bhīta-vad vyāghra-siṁhayoḥ

Translation

Sometimes He would cry out in imitation of birds such as the cakoras, krauñcas, cakrāhvas, bhāradvājas and peacocks, and sometimes He would run away with the smaller animals in mock fear of lions and tigers.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Plays as If Afraid

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa imitated the calls of birds, including peacocks, and ran with the smaller forest animals.

  2. 2

    The words “as if afraid” show that His fear of lions and tigers was only play. Lord Kṛṣṇa acted just like an ordinary boy.

  3. 3

    In Vṛndāvana, the Lord’s abode, lions and tigers are not violent. There was actually no reason to fear them.

Key points from the purport
  • The word bhīta-vat, “as if afraid,” indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa played just like an ordinary boy and ran with the smaller forest creatures in mock fear of the lions and tigers.
  • Actually, in Vṛndāvana, the abode of the Lord, the lions and tigers are not violent, and thus there is no reason to fear them.

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 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then Kṛṣṇa also placed His head on the lap of a cowherd boy to rest, and another cowherd boy massaged His feet. In this way Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and Their cowherd friends enjoyed various pastimes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. cakora-krauñca-cakrāhva-bhāradvājān cathe cakora, krauñca, cakrāhva and bhāradvāja birds
  2. barhiṇaḥthe peacocks
  3. anurauti smaHe would call out in imitation of
  4. sattvānāmtogether with the other creatures
  5. bhīta-vatacting as if afraid
  6. vyāghra-siṁhayoḥof the tigers and lions
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “fear”, “afraid”

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 does knowing that Kṛṣṇa’s fear was playful change your understanding of this scene?

Practice

Spend a minute remembering Kṛṣṇa playing with the birds and smaller animals in Vṛndāvana.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Plays as If AfraidThis 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 10.15.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.