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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 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya
10.16.3010.16.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.31

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

कृष्णस्य गर्भजगतोऽतिभरावसन्नं

पार्ष्णिप्रहारपरिरुग्नफणातपत्रम् ।

द‍ृष्ट्वाहिमाद्यमुपसेदुरमुष्य पत्‍न्य

आर्ता: श्लथद्वसनभूषणकेशबन्धा: ॥ ३१ ॥

kṛṣṇasya garbha-jagato ’ti-bharāvasannaṁ

pārṣṇi-prahāra-parirugna-phaṇātapatram

dṛṣṭvāhim ādyam upasedur amuṣya patnya

ārtāḥ ślathad-vasana-bhūṣaṇa-keśa-bandhāḥ

Translation

When Kāliya’s wives saw how the serpent had become so fatigued from the excessive weight of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who carries the entire universe in His abdomen, and how Kāliya’s umbrellalike hoods had been shattered by the striking of Kṛṣṇa’s heels, they felt great distress. With their clothing, ornaments and hair scattered in disarray, they then approached the eternal Personality of Godhead.

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.

Recognize and Support Genuine Repentance

  1. 1

    Kāliya’s wives had been disgusted by his demoniac activities. They were prepared to accept widowhood and engage in worship of the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    Seeing his humility, remorse, regret and doubt, they understood that he had taken shelter of the Lord within his mind. They considered themselves fortunate that their husband had become a Vaiṣṇava.

  3. 3

    Affection for their repentant husband moved them to seek his protection. Distressed by his condition, they approached the eternal Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Kāliya’s wives had been disgusted with their husband because of his demoniac activities.
  • We will become widows and engage in the worship of the Supreme Lord.”
  • They felt affection for their repentant husband and severe distress because of his miserable position, and thus all together they went into the presence of the Supreme Lord.

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 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Today he has borne upon his head the dust of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, the attainment of which is difficult for even the mother of the universe, the goddess Lakṣmī. Please kindly forgive the offense Kāliya has committed out of ignorance, and allow him to live.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇasyaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  2. garbhain whose abdomen
  3. jagataḥis found the entire universe
  4. ati-bharaby the extreme weight
  5. avasannamfatigued
  6. pārṣṇiof His heels
  7. prahāraby the striking
  8. parirugnashattered
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “distress”, “distressed”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “humility”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “protection”

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

Am I willing to recognize sincere repentance rather than see someone only through past wrongdoing?

Practice

Reflect on one person’s sincere effort to change, and offer a prayer for that person’s progress in serving Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize and Support Genuine RepentanceThis 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 10.16.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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