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
10.16.5310.16.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.54

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.16.54inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्थं स नागपत्नीभिर्भगवान् समभिष्टुत: ।

मूर्च्छितं भग्नशिरसं विससर्जाङ्‍‍‍‍‍घ्रिकुट्टनै: ॥ ५४ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

itthaṁ sa nāga-patnībhir

bhagavān samabhiṣṭutaḥ

mūrcchitaṁ bhagna-śirasaṁ

visasarjāṅghri-kuṭṭanaiḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus praised by the Nāgapatnīs, the Supreme Personality of Godhead released the serpent Kāliya, who had fallen unconscious, his heads battered by the striking of the Lord’s lotus feet.

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.

The Supreme Lord Releases Kāliya

  1. 1

    Praised by the Nāgapatnīs, the Supreme Personality of Godhead released Kāliya, who lay unconscious with his heads battered by the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Upon reaching His decision, Kṛṣṇa immediately jumped down from Kāliya’s hoods and stood before the serpent and his wives.

  3. 3

    We should remember that Kṛṣṇa performed these pastimes as a young village boy in Vṛndāvana.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa, upon reaching His decision, immediately jumped down from Kāliya’s hoods and stood before the serpent and his wives.
  • We should remember that when Lord Kṛṣṇa executed these pastimes, He was just a young village boy in Vṛndāvana.

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:

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itthamin this way
  3. saḥHe, Lord Kṛṣṇa
  4. nāga-patnībhiḥby the wives of Kāliya
  5. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. samabhiṣṭutaḥfully praised
  7. mūrcchitamwho was unconscious
  8. bhagna-śirasamhis heads crushed
  9. visasarjaHe let go
  10. aṅghri-kuṭṭanaiḥby the striking of His feet
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

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 remembering Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position shape your understanding of His appearance as a village boy?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute remembering the Supreme Lord standing before Kāliya and his wives.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Releases KāliyaThis 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 10.16.54? 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