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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
10.17.2410.18.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.17.25

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

इत्थं स्वजनवैक्लव्यं निरीक्ष्य जगदीश्वर: ।

तमग्निमपिबत्तीव्रमनन्तोऽनन्तशक्तिधृक् ॥ २५ ॥

itthaṁ sva-jana-vaiklavyaṁ

nirīkṣya jagad-īśvaraḥ

tam agnim apibat tīvram

ananto ’nanta-śakti-dhṛk

Translation

Seeing His devotees so disturbed, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the infinite Lord of the universe and possessor of infinite power, then swallowed the terrible forest fire.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Protects His Distressed Devotees

  1. 1

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa sees how disturbed His devotees are. Their distress draws His protective response.

  2. 2

    He is the infinite Lord of the universe and possesses infinite power. His protection reveals His supreme position.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa swallows the terrible forest fire, saving His devotees from the danger that frightened them.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Seventeenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The History of Kāliya.”

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. itthamin this manner
  2. sva-janaof His own devotees
  3. vaiklavyamthe disturbed condition
  4. nirīkṣyaseeing
  5. jagat-īśvaraḥthe Lord of the universe
  6. tamthat
  7. agnimfire
  8. apibatdrank
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”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protective”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.17

    In this verse: “distress”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s response to His distressed devotees teach me about taking shelter of Him?

Practice

Pause today to remember Kṛṣṇa swallowing the forest fire, and offer Him a brief prayer of gratitude for His care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Protects His Distressed DevoteesThis 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 10.17.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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