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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 17: The History of Kāliya
10.17.1510.17.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.17.16

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

रामश्चाच्युतमालिङ्‌‌ग्य जहासास्यानुभाववित् ।

प्रेम्णा तमङ्कमारोप्य पुन: पुनरुदैक्षत ।

गावो वृषा वत्सतर्यो लेभिरे परमां मुदम् ॥ १६ ॥

rāmaś cācyutam āliṅgya

jahāsāsyānubhāva-vit

premṇā tam aṅkam āropya

punaḥ punar udaikṣata

gāvo vṛṣā vatsataryo

lebhire paramāṁ mudam

Translation

Lord Balarāma embraced His infallible brother and laughed, knowing well the extent of Kṛṣṇa’s potency. Out of great feelings of love, Balarāma lifted Kṛṣṇa up on His lap and repeatedly looked at Him. The cows, bulls and young female calves also achieved the highest pleasure.

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.

Balarāma Knows Kṛṣṇa’s Potency and Loves Him

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma embraced His infallible brother and laughed, knowing well the extent of Kṛṣṇa’s potency.

  2. 2

    Out of great love, Balarāma lifted Kṛṣṇa onto His lap and repeatedly looked at Him.

  3. 3

    The cows, bulls and young female calves also achieved the highest pleasure.

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:

When Lord Balarāma and all the residents of Vṛndāvana saw Śrī Kṛṣṇa rise up out of the lake, beautifully decorated with many different gems and ornaments, they embraced Him in great pleasure. The spiritual masters, priests and learned brāhmaṇas then told Nanda Mahārāja, the king of the cowherds, that although his son had been caught in the grips of Kāliya, it was by the king’s good fortune that He was now free again.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  2. caand
  3. acyutamKṛṣṇa, the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. āliṅgyaembracing
  5. jahāsalaughed
  6. asyaHis
  7. anubhāva-vitknowing well the omnipotence
  8. premṇāout of love
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “love”

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 Balarāma’s response bring together knowledge of Kṛṣṇa’s potency and tender love?

Practice

Take a quiet minute to remember Balarāma looking repeatedly at Kṛṣṇa with love.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBalarāma Knows Kṛṣṇa’s Potency and Loves HimThis 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 10.17.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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