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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya
10.16.3610.16.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.37

Mukti· Liberation
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

न नाकपृष्ठं न च सार्वभौमं

न पारमेष्ठ्यं न रसाधिपत्यम् ।

न योगसिद्धीरपुनर्भवं वा

वाञ्छन्ति यत्पादरज:प्रपन्ना: ॥ ३७ ॥

na nāka-pṛṣṭhaṁ na ca sārva-bhaumaṁ

na pārameṣṭhyaṁ na rasādhipatyam

na yoga-siddhīr apunar-bhavaṁ vā

vāñchanti yat-pāda-rajaḥ-prapannāḥ

Translation

Those who have attained the dust of Your lotus feet never hanker for the kingship of heaven, limitless sovereignty, the position of Brahmā or rulership over the earth. They are not interested even in the perfections of yoga or in liberation itself.

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 Lotus Feet Surpass Every Reward

  1. 1

    Those who have attained the dust of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet do not hanker for the kingship of heaven or limitless sovereignty.

  2. 2

    They do not desire the position of Brahmā or rulership over the earth.

  3. 3

    They are not interested even in the perfections of yoga or liberation itself. Attaining the dust of His lotus feet surpasses these ambitions.

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. nanot
  2. nāka-pṛṣṭhamheaven
  3. na canor
  4. sārva-bhaumamsupreme sovereignty
  5. nanot
  6. pārameṣṭhyamthe topmost position of Brahmā
  7. nanot
  8. rasa-adhipatyamrulership over the earth
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “kingship”, “rulership”

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 seeking Kṛṣṇa’s shelter, or mainly hoping to gain something else?

Practice

Offer one prayer for shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet without asking for any other reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet Surpass Every RewardThis 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 10.16.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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