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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
10.17.2210.17.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.17.23

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vṛndāvana’s residentssince 10.17.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृष्ण कृष्ण महाभाग हे रामामितविक्रम ।

एष घोरतमो वह्निस्तावकान् ग्रसते हि न: ॥ २३ ॥

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-bhaga

he rāmāmita-vikrama

eṣa ghoratamo vahnis

tāvakān grasate hi naḥ

Translation

[Vṛndāvana’s residents said:] Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, O Lord of all opulence! O Rāma, possessor of unlimited power! This most terrible fire is about to devour us, Your devotees!

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.

Calling on the Lord in Danger

  1. 1

    Facing a terrible fire, Vṛndāvana’s residents call out to Kṛṣṇa and Rāma for help.

  2. 2

    They address Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of all opulence and Rāma as the possessor of unlimited power.

  3. 3

    They speak as devotees who belong to the Lord. In their danger, they turn directly to Him.

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:

As the fire surrounded the sleeping inhabitants of Vṛndāvana, they suddenly awoke and rushed to Śrī Kṛṣṇa for protection. Then the unlimitedly powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, seeing His dear relatives and friends so distressed, immediately swallowed up the terrible forest fire.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇaO Kṛṣṇa
  2. kṛṣṇaO Kṛṣṇa
  3. mahā-bhāgaO Lord of all opulence
  4. he rāmaO Lord Balarāma, source of all happiness
  5. amita-vikramaYou whose power is unlimited
  6. eṣaḥthis
  7. ghora-tamaḥmost terrible
  8. vahniḥfire
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “danger”

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

When I feel afraid, how can I remember to turn to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Today, take a quiet moment to call upon Kṛṣṇa and ask for His shelter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCalling on the Lord in DangerThis 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 10.17.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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