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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 17: The History of Kāliya
10.17.1110.17.13-14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.17.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.17.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत् कालिय: परं वेद नान्य: कश्चन लेलिह: ।

अवात्सीद् गरुडाद् भीत: कृष्णेन च विवासित: ॥ १२ ॥

tat kāliyaḥ paraṁ veda

nānyaḥ kaścana lelihaḥ

avātsīd garuḍād bhītaḥ

kṛṣṇena ca vivāsitaḥ

Translation

Of all the serpents, only Kāliya came to know of this affair, and in fear of Garuḍa he took up residence in that Yamunā lake. Later Lord Kṛṣṇa drove him out.

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.

Kāliya’s Refuge Did Not Last

  1. 1

    Of all the serpents, only Kāliya knew of this affair.

  2. 2

    Afraid of Garuḍa, Kāliya took up residence in the Yamunā lake.

  3. 3

    Later Lord Kṛṣṇa drove Kāliya out. The place where he had sought safety did not remain his home.

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 17: The History of Kāliya

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kāliya had heard of this, and thus he lived there without fear. In the end, however, he was driven out by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamthat
  2. kāliyaḥKāliya
  3. paramonly
  4. vedaknew
  5. nanot
  6. anyaḥother
  7. kaścanaany
  8. lelihaḥserpent
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “fear”, “afraid”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “safety”

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

What does Kāliya’s departure help you notice about Lord Kṛṣṇa’s authority?

Practice

Read the translation again and pause to remember that Lord Kṛṣṇa drove Kāliya out.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKāliya’s Refuge Did Not LastThis 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 10.17.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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