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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
10.17.2310.17.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.17.24

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

सुदुस्तरान्न: स्वान् पाहि कालाग्ने: सुहृद: प्रभो ।

न शक्नुमस्त्वच्चरणं सन्त्यक्तुमकुतोभयम् ॥ २४ ॥

su-dustarān naḥ svān pāhi

kālāgneḥ suhṛdaḥ prabho

na śaknumas tvac-caraṇaṁ

santyaktum akuto-bhayam

Translation

O Lord, we are Your true friends and devotees. Please protect us from this insurmountable fire of death. We can never give up Your lotus feet, which drive away all fear.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Seeking Protection to Continue Serving

  1. 1

    The residents of Vṛndāvana appeal to Kṛṣṇa as His true friends and devotees, asking Him to protect them from the fire of death.

  2. 2

    Separation from His lotus feet is unbearable for them. They cannot give up those feet, which drive away all fear.

  3. 3

    They ask for protection so that they can go on serving His lotus feet. Continuing devotional service is the purpose of their prayer.

Key points from the purport
  • The residents of Vṛndāvana told Kṛṣṇa, “If this deadly fire overcomes us, we will be separated from Your lotus feet, and this is unbearable for us.
  • Therefore, just so that we can go on serving Your lotus feet, please protect us.”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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. su-dustarātfrom the insurmountable
  2. naḥus
  3. svānYour own devotees
  4. pāhiplease protect
  5. kāla-agneḥfrom the fire of death
  6. suhṛdaḥYour true friends
  7. prabhoO supreme master
  8. na śaknumaḥwe are incapable
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “friends”

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 can my prayers for protection also express a desire to keep serving Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer a short prayer today asking Kṛṣṇa to help you continue serving Him through difficulties.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeking Protection to Continue ServingThis 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 10.17.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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