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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya
10.16.3210.16.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.33

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The wives of the Kāliya serpentsince 10.16.33inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नागपत्‍न्य ऊचु:

न्याय्यो हि दण्ड: कृतकिल्बिषेऽस्मिं-

स्तवावतार: खलनिग्रहाय ।

रिपो: सुतानामपि तुल्यद‍ृष्टि-

र्धत्से दमं फलमेवानुशंसन् ॥ ३३ ॥

nāga-patnya ūcuḥ

nyāyyo hi daṇḍaḥ kṛta-kilbiṣe ’smiṁs

tavāvatāraḥ khala-nigrahāya

ripoḥ sutānām api tulya-dṛṣṭir

dhatse damaṁ phalam evānuśaṁsan

Translation

The wives of the Kāliya serpent said: The punishment this offender has been subjected to is certainly just. After all, You have incarnated within this world to curb down envious and cruel persons. You are so impartial that You look equally upon Your enemies and Your own sons, for when You impose a punishment on a living being You know it to be for his ultimate benefit.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Punishment Serves Our Ultimate Benefit

  1. 1

    The wives of Kāliya accept the punishment of their offending husband as just. Kṛṣṇa descends into this world to curb envious and cruel persons.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa looks equally upon His enemies and His own sons. His judgment is impartial.

  3. 3

    When Kṛṣṇa punishes a living being, He considers that being’s ultimate benefit.

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:

Then they offered Him various prayers in hopes of gaining their husband’s freedom: “It is quite fitting that You have brought our cruel husband to this condition. Indeed, by Your anger he has gained great benefit.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāga-patnyaḥ ūcuḥthe wives of the serpent said
  2. nyāyyaḥfair and just
  3. hiindeed
  4. daṇḍaḥpunishment
  5. kṛta-kilbiṣeto him who has committed offense
  6. asminthis person
  7. tavaYour
  8. avatāraḥdescent into this world
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “offender”, “offending”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s concern for everyone’s ultimate benefit deepen my trust in Him?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and pause to reflect on Kṛṣṇa’s impartiality.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Punishment Serves Our Ultimate BenefitThis 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 10.16.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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