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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
10.16.3410.16.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

तप: सुतप्तं किमनेन पूर्वं

निरस्तमानेन च मानदेन ।

धर्मोऽथ वा सर्वजनानुकम्पया

यतो भवांस्तुष्यति सर्वजीव: ॥ ३५ ॥

tapaḥ sutaptaṁ kim anena pūrvaṁ

nirasta-mānena ca māna-dena

dharmo ’tha vā sarva-janānukampayā

yato bhavāṁs tuṣyati sarva-jīvaḥ

Translation

Did our husband carefully perform austerities in a previous life, with his mind free of pride and full of respect for others? Is that why You are pleased with him? Or did he in some previous existence carefully execute religious duties with compassion for all living beings, and is that why You, the life of all living beings, are now satisfied with him?

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.

Approach Kṛṣṇa With Humility and Respect

  1. 1

    The Nāgapatnīs wonder whether Kāliya previously performed austerities without pride or religious duties with compassion. They confirm that contact with Kṛṣṇa follows pious activities in devotional service.

  2. 2

    Devotional service should be performed by humbly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. One should expect no honor for oneself while offering honor to others.

  3. 3

    The Nāgapatnīs are astonished that Kāliya’s sinful serpent body is being touched by the Lord’s lotus feet. Such contact is not the ordinary result of pious activities.

Key points from the purport
  • In this regard Śrīla Prabhupāda comments in his Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Chapter Sixteen: “The Nāgapatnīs confirm that one cannot come in contact with Kṛṣṇa without having executed pious activities in devotional service in his previous lives.
  • As Lord Caitanya advised in His Śikṣāṣṭaka, one has to execute devotional service by humbly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street and not expecting honor for himself but offering all kinds of honor to others.
  • Certainly this was not the ordinary result of pious activities.

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:

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. tapaḥausterity
  2. su-taptamproperly performed
  3. kimwhat
  4. anenaby this Kāliya
  5. pūrvamin previous lives
  6. nirasta-mānenabeing free from false pride
  7. caand
  8. māna-denagiving respect to others
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”

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 can I offer respect to others without expecting honor in return?

Practice

Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra today with a deliberate wish to serve humbly rather than receive recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproach Kṛṣṇa With Humility and RespectThis 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 10.16.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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