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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 10.16.24

Who is speaking and story frame

तत्प्रथ्यमानवपुषा व्यथितात्मभोग-

स्त्यक्त्वोन्नमय्य कुपित: स्वफणान् भुजङ्ग: ।

तस्थौ श्वसञ्छ्वसनरन्ध्रविषाम्बरीष-

स्तब्धेक्षणोल्मुकमुखो हरिमीक्षमाण: ॥ २४ ॥

tat-prathyamāna-vapuṣā vyathitātma-bhogas

tyaktvonnamayya kupitaḥ sva-phaṇān bhujaṅgaḥ

tasthau śvasañ chvasana-randhra-viṣāmbarīṣa-

stabdhekṣaṇolmuka-mukho harim īkṣamāṇaḥ

Translation

His coils tormented by the expanding body of the Lord, Kāliya released Him. In great anger the serpent then raised his hoods high and stood still, breathing heavily. His nostrils appeared like vessels for cooking poison, and the staring eyes in his face like firebrands. Thus the serpent looked at the Lord.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Cannot Be Held by Kāliya

  1. 1

    The Lord expanded His body, tormenting Kāliya’s coils and forcing the serpent to release Him.

  2. 2

    Kāliya responded with great anger, raising his hoods and breathing heavily.

  3. 3

    His nostrils resembled vessels for cooking poison, and his eyes resembled firebrands. Yet his threatening appearance had not enabled him to keep the Lord bound.

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 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

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. The residents thought the three worlds had become empty, and they all prepared to enter the water.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatof Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa
  2. prathyamānaexpanding
  3. vapuṣāby the transcendental body
  4. vyathitapained
  5. ātmahis own
  6. bhogaḥserpent body
  7. tyaktvāgiving Him up
  8. unnamayyaraising high
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

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

What does the Lord’s release from Kāliya’s coils help me appreciate about His power?

Practice

Reread the Lord’s release from the coils and spend a moment appreciating His power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Cannot Be Held by KāliyaThis 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 10.16.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.