1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.19.1310.19.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.19.14

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

कृष्णस्य योगवीर्यं तद् योगमायानुभावितम् ।

दावाग्नेरात्मन: क्षेमं वीक्ष्य ते मेनिरेऽमरम् ॥ १४ ॥

kṛṣṇasya yoga-vīryaṁ tad

yoga-māyānubhāvitam

dāvāgner ātmanaḥ kṣemaṁ

vīkṣya te menire ’maram

Translation

When the cowherd boys saw that they had been saved from the forest fire by the Lord’s mystic power, which is manifested by His internal potency, they began to think that Kṛṣṇa must be a demigod.

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.

Loving Friendship Beyond Astonishing Power

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys of Vṛndāvana loved Kṛṣṇa as their only friend and exclusive object of devotion.

  2. 2

    To increase their ecstasy, Kṛṣṇa displayed His mystic potency and saved them from the terrible forest fire.

  3. 3

    The boys could never give up their ecstatic loving friendship with Kṛṣṇa. Rather than considering Him God, they thought He might be a demigod and that, as His friends, they too must be demigods.

Key points from the purport
  • The cowherd boys of Vṛndāvana simply loved Kṛṣṇa as their only friend and exclusive object of devotion.
  • To increase their ecstasy, Kṛṣṇa displayed to them His mystic potency and saved them from a terrible forest fire.
  • Therefore, rather than considering Kṛṣṇa to be God, after they saw His extraordinary power they thought that perhaps He was a demigod.

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:

Seeing this wonderful display of mystic potency, the cowherd boys thought Kṛṣṇa must be a demigod, and they began to praise Him. Then they all returned home.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇasyaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  2. yoga-vīryamthe mystic power
  3. tatthat
  4. yoga-māyāby His internal power of illusion
  5. anubhāvitameffected
  6. dāva-agneḥfrom the forest fire
  7. ātmanaḥof themselves
  8. kṣemamthe deliverance
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: “cowherd boys”, “friend”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “loved”, “ecstasy”, “ecstatic”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “saved”

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 the boys’ response teach you about the strength of their loving devotion to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer Kṛṣṇa a short prayer today expressing a wish to grow in loving devotional service, not merely in wonder at His power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Friendship Beyond Astonishing PowerThis 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 10.19.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories