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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya

10.16.16 10.16.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.16.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तेऽन्वेषमाणा दयितं कृष्णं सूचितया पदै: ।

भगवल्लक्षणैर्जग्मु: पदव्या यमुनातटम् ॥ १७ ॥

te ’nveṣamāṇā dayitaṁ

kṛṣṇaṁ sūcitayā padaiḥ

bhagaval-lakṣaṇair jagmuḥ

padavyā yamunā-taṭam

Translation

The residents hurried toward the banks of the Yamunā in search of their dearmost Kṛṣṇa, following the path marked by His footprints, which bore the unique signs of the Personality of Godhead.

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This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Following Kṛṣṇa’s Footprints With Love

1
The residents searched for Kṛṣṇa because He was their dearmost beloved.
2
They followed the path marked by His footprints toward the banks of the Yamunā.
3
His footprints bore the unique signs of the Personality of Godhead. These markings guided their search for Him.

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

Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thinking in this way, they traced the path of Kṛṣṇa’s footprints to the bank of the Yamunā. Within the water of the lake adjoining the river they saw Lord Kṛṣṇa, the very essence of their lives, enwrapped in the coils of a black snake.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.16