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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya
10.16.5110.16.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.52

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

अनुगृह्णीष्व भगवन् प्राणांस्त्यजति पन्नग: ।

स्त्रीणां न: साधुशोच्यानां पति: प्राण: प्रदीयताम् ॥ ५२ ॥

anugṛhṇīṣva bhagavan

prāṇāṁs tyajati pannagaḥ

strīṇāṁ naḥ sādhu-śocyānāṁ

patiḥ prāṇaḥ pradīyatām

Translation

O Supreme Lord, please be merciful. It is proper for the saintly to feel compassion for women like us. This serpent is about to give up his life. Please give us back our husband, who is our life and soul.

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.

Turn to the Supreme Lord for Mercy

  1. 1

    The wives directly ask the Supreme Lord to show mercy.

  2. 2

    They appeal to the compassion that saintly persons should feel for women in their distress.

  3. 3

    Their husband is about to die, and they ask for his life to be spared. They describe him as their life and soul.

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:

Please kindly forgive the offense Kāliya has committed out of ignorance, and allow him to live.” Satisfied by the Nāgapatnīs’ prayers, Kṛṣṇa released Kāliya, who slowly regained his sensory and vital powers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.16
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anugṛhṇīṣvaplease show mercy
  2. bhagavanO Supreme Lord
  3. prāṇānhis life airs
  4. tyajatiis giving up
  5. pannagaḥthe serpent
  6. strīṇāmfor women
  7. naḥus
  8. sādhu-śocyānāmwho are to be pitied by saintly personalities
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”, “distress”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “give up”

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 respond with compassion when someone fears losing a loved one?

Practice

Offer a sincere prayer for someone who is distressed over a loved one.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTurn to the Supreme Lord for MercyThis 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 10.16.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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