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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 19: Swallowing the Forest Fire
10.19.1010.19.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.19.11

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.19.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

वचो निशम्य कृपणं बन्धूनां भगवान् हरि: ।

निमीलयत मा भैष्ट लोचनानीत्यभाषत ॥ ११ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

vaco niśamya kṛpaṇaṁ

bandhūnāṁ bhagavān hariḥ

nimīlayata mā bhaiṣṭa

locanānīty abhāṣata

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing these pitiful words from His friends, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa told them, “Just close your eyes and do not be afraid.”

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 Reassures His Beloved Friends

  1. 1

    This verse reveals the simple, sublime relationship between Kṛṣṇa and His pure devotees.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is a young, blissful cowherd boy. The supreme almighty Lord is youthful and playful.

  3. 3

    Seeing His beloved friends terrified of the forest fire, Kṛṣṇa simply told them to close their eyes and not be afraid.

Key points from the purport
  • The Absolute Truth, the supreme almighty Lord, is actually a young, blissful cowherd boy named Kṛṣṇa.
  • When He saw that His beloved friends were terrified of the forest fire, He simply told them to close their eyes and not be afraid.
  • Then Lord Kṛṣṇa acted, as described in the next verse.

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 19: Swallowing the Forest Fire

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus the cowherd boys took shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystic power, who told them to close their eyes. They did so, and in a moment He had swallowed up the fierce forest fire and brought them all back to the Bhāṇḍīra tree mentioned in the last chapter.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. vacaḥthe words
  3. niśamyahearing
  4. kṛpaṇampitiful
  5. bandhūnāmof His friends
  6. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  7. hariḥHari
  8. nimīlayatajust close
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “afraid”

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 touches you about the almighty Lord speaking so gently to His frightened friends?

Practice

Read Kṛṣṇa’s words, “Just close your eyes and do not be afraid,” slowly, and spend a moment remembering His care for His friends.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Reassures His Beloved FriendsThis 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 10.19.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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