1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya
10.16.5210.16.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.53

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

विधेहि ते किङ्करीणामनुष्ठेयं तवाज्ञया ।

यच्छ्रद्धयानुतिष्ठन् वै मुच्यते सर्वतोभयात् ॥ ५३ ॥

vidhehi te kiṅkarīṇām

anuṣṭheyaṁ tavājñayā

yac-chraddhayānutiṣṭhan vai

mucyate sarvato bhayāt

Translation

Now please tell us, Your maidservants, what we should do. Certainly anyone who faithfully executes Your order is automatically freed from all fear.

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.

Faithful Service Frees Us from Fear

  1. 1

    Kāliya’s wives identify themselves as the Lord’s maidservants and ask Him what they should do.

  2. 2

    Anyone who faithfully carries out the Lord’s order is automatically freed from all fear.

  3. 3

    Their surrender is now complete. The purport explains that Lord Kṛṣṇa immediately gives them His mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • The surrender of Kāliya’s wives was now complete, and Lord Kṛṣṇa immediately gave them His mercy, as described in the following verses.

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:

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. vidhehiplease order
  2. teYour
  3. kiṅkarīṇāmby the maidservants
  4. anuṣṭheyamwhat should be done
  5. tavaYour
  6. ājñayāby the command
  7. yatwhich
  8. śraddhayāwith faith
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “surrender”

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 ask what the Lord wants me to do, rather than only asking for relief?

Practice

Offer a short prayer of readiness to serve, then faithfully act on one instruction of the Lord you already know.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaithful Service Frees Us from FearThis 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 10.16.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories