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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 16: Kṛṣṇa Chastises the Serpent Kāliya
10.16.5910.16.61

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.16.60

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.16.60inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्याकर्ण्य वच: प्राह भगवान् कार्यमानुष: ।

नात्र स्थेयं त्वया सर्प समुद्रं याहि मा चिरम् ।

स्वज्ञात्यपत्यदाराढ्यो गोनृभिर्भुज्यते नदी ॥ ६० ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity ākarṇya vacaḥ prāha

bhagavān kārya-mānuṣaḥ

nātra stheyaṁ tvayā sarpa

samudraṁ yāhi mā ciram

sva-jñāty-apatya-dārāḍhyo

go-nṛbhir bhujyate nadī

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing Kāliya’s words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was acting the role of a human being, replied: O serpent, you may not remain here any longer. Go back to the ocean immediately, accompanied by your retinue of children, wives, other relatives and friends. Let this river be enjoyed by the cows and humans.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Restores the River for Others

  1. 1

    After hearing Kāliya, Kṛṣṇa replied as the Supreme Personality of Godhead acting in the role of a human being.

  2. 2

    He ordered Kāliya to leave immediately for the ocean with his children, wives, relatives and friends.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa directed that the river should be enjoyed by the cows and humans.

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. itithus
  3. ākarṇyahearing
  4. vacaḥthese words
  5. prāhathen spoke
  6. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  7. kārya-mānuṣaḥwho was acting like a human being
  8. nanot
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.16

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “children”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s command show concern for those who depend on the river?

Practice

Do one small thing today to keep a shared water source clean for people and animals.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Restores the River for OthersThis 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 10.16.60? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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