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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
10.17.1710.17.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.17.18

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.17.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देहि दानं द्विजातीनां कृष्णनिर्मुक्तिहेतवे ।

नन्द: प्रीतमना राजन् गा: सुवर्णं तदादिशत् ॥ १८ ॥

dehi dānaṁ dvi-jātīnāṁ

kṛṣṇa-nirmukti-hetave

nandaḥ prīta-manā rājan

gāḥ suvarṇaṁ tadādiśat

Translation

The brāhmaṇas then advised Nanda Mahārāja, “To assure that your son Kṛṣṇa will always be free from danger, you should give charity to the brāhmaṇas.” With a satisfied mind, O King, Nanda Mahārāja then very gladly gave them gifts of cows and gold.

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.

Nanda Gives Charity with Joy

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas advised Nanda Mahārāja to give charity to the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    They presented this charity as a way to assure that his son Kṛṣṇa would always be free from danger.

  3. 3

    With a satisfied mind, Nanda Mahārāja very gladly gave them cows and gold.

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:

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. Because the people of Vṛndāvana were quite worn out by hunger, thirst and fatigue, they spent that night on the banks of the Yamunā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dehiyou should give
  2. dānamcharity
  3. dvi-jātīnāmto the brāhmaṇas
  4. kṛṣṇa-nirmuktithe safety of Kṛṣṇa
  5. hetavefor the purpose of
  6. nandaḥNanda Mahārāja
  7. prīta-manāḥsatisfied within his mind
  8. rājanO King Parīkṣit
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “king”

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 can you learn from Nanda Mahārāja’s glad and satisfied response to the advice?

Practice

Set aside a small amount for charity today, remembering Nanda Mahārāja’s joyful willingness to give.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNanda Gives Charity with JoyThis 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 10.17.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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