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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
10.16.5810.16.60

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.59

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

भवान् हि कारणं तत्र सर्वज्ञो जगदीश्वर: ।

अनुग्रहं निग्रहं वा मन्यसे तद् विधेहि न: ॥ ५९ ॥

bhavān hi kāraṇaṁ tatra

sarva-jño jagad-īśvaraḥ

anugrahaṁ nigrahaṁ vā

manyase tad vidhehi naḥ

Translation

O Lord, since You are the omniscient Lord of the universe, You are the actual cause of freedom from illusion. Please arrange for us whatever You consider proper, whether it be mercy or punishment.

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.

Accept the Lord’s Wise Judgment

  1. 1

    Kāliya recognized the Lord as the all-knowing Lord of the universe.

  2. 2

    He acknowledged that the Lord is the actual cause of freedom from illusion.

  3. 3

    He asked the Lord to arrange whatever He considered proper, whether mercy or punishment.

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. bhavānYour good self
  2. hicertainly
  3. kāraṇamthe cause
  4. tatrain that matter (the removal of illusion)
  5. sarva-jñaḥthe knower of everything
  6. jagat-īśvaraḥthe supreme controller of the universe
  7. anugrahamfavor
  8. nigrahampunishment
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

Can you ask for the Lord’s guidance without insisting on the outcome you prefer?

Practice

In one prayer today, ask the Lord to arrange what He considers proper rather than requesting a particular result.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept the Lord’s Wise JudgmentThis 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 10.16.59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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