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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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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
10.16.5610.16.58

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.57

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The serpent Kāliyasince 10.16.56inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

त्वया सृष्टमिदं विश्वं धातर्गुणविसर्जनम् ।

नानास्वभाववीर्यौजोयोनिबीजाशयाकृति ॥ ५७ ॥

tvayā sṛṣṭam idaṁ viśvaṁ

dhātar guṇa-visarjanam

nānā-svabhāva-vīryaujo-

yoni-bījāśayākṛti

Translation

O supreme creator, it is You who generate this universe, composed of the variegated arrangement of the material modes, and in the process You manifest various kinds of personalities and species, varieties of sensory and physical strength, and varieties of mothers and fathers with variegated mentalities and forms.

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 Lord Is the Primary Creator

  1. 1

    Kāliya addressed the Lord as the supreme creator of the universe, with its varied arrangement of material modes.

  2. 2

    The Lord manifests varieties of personalities, species, sensory and physical strength, parents, mentalities and forms.

  3. 3

    The purport distinguishes primary from secondary creation: Viṣṇu is the primary creator, while four-headed Brahmā is the secondary creator.

Key points from the purport
  • Commenting on this verse, Śrīla Madhvācārya has quoted the Nārada Purāṇa as follows: “From Hiraṇyagarbha, Brahmā, comes the second creation of this universe, but the universe is primarily created by Viṣṇu Himself.
  • Viṣṇu is thus the primary creator, and four-headed Brahmā is merely the secondary creator.”

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. tvayāby You
  2. sṛṣṭamcreated
  3. idamthis
  4. viśvamuniverse
  5. dhātaḥO supreme provider
  6. guṇaof the material modes
  7. visarjanamthe variegated creation
  8. nānāvarious
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “mothers”, “fathers”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “material”

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 recognizing the Lord as the primary creator change the way you view the variety of life?

Practice

Notice one example of variety in living beings today and remember the Lord as the supreme creator.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Is the Primary CreatorThis 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 10.16.57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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