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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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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 19: Swallowing the Forest Fire
10.19.1110.19.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.19.12

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

तथेति मीलिताक्षेषु भगवानग्निमुल्बणम् ।

पीत्वा मुखेन तान्कृच्छ्राद् योगाधीशो व्यमोचयत् ॥ १२ ॥

tatheti mīlitākṣeṣu

bhagavān agnim ulbaṇam

pītvā mukhena tān kṛcchrād

yogādhīśo vyamocayat

Translation

“All right,” the boys replied, and immediately closed their eyes. Then the Supreme Lord, the master of all mystic power, opened His mouth and swallowed the terrible fire, saving His friends from danger.

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 Saves His Friends From Danger

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys replied, “All right,” and immediately closed their eyes as Kṛṣṇa instructed.

  2. 2

    The boys were suffering from extreme fatigue, hunger and thirst, and were about to be consumed by the forest fire. The word kṛcchrāt indicates all this distress.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Lord, the master of all mystic power, opened His mouth and swallowed the terrible fire, saving His friends.

Key points from the purport
  • The cowherd boys were suffering from extreme fatigue, hunger and thirst, and were about to be consumed by a horrible forest fire.
  • All this is indicated here by the word kṛcchrāt.

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. tathāall right
  2. itithus speaking
  3. mīlitaclosing
  4. akṣeṣutheir eyes
  5. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  6. agnimthe fire
  7. ulbaṇamterrible
  8. pītvādrinking
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”, “cowherd boys”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “suffering”, “distress”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    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

How does knowing the boys’ exhaustion deepen your appreciation of Kṛṣṇa’s rescue?

Practice

Take one minute today to remember how Kṛṣṇa delivered His exhausted friends from the terrible fire.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Saves His Friends From 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 10.19.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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