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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 2: Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Womb
10.2.1510.2.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.2.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.2.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भगवानपि विश्वात्मा भक्तानामभयङ्कर: । आविवेशांशभागेन मन आनकदुन्दुभे: ॥ १६ ॥

bhagavān api viśvātmā

bhaktānām abhayaṅkaraḥ

āviveśāṁśa-bhāgena

mana ānakadundubheḥ

Translation

Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul of all living entities and who vanquishes all the fear of His devotees, entered the mind of Vasudeva in full opulence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Awaken Love for Kṛṣṇa Within

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead entered Vasudeva’s mind in full opulence. He is the Supersoul of all living entities and removes His devotees’ fear.

  2. 2

    Viśvātmā means both the Lord situated in everyone’s heart and the only lovable object for everyone. Forgetfulness of Him causes suffering, while reviving love for Kṛṣṇa brings perfection.

  3. 3

    Although unborn, the Lord appears like a born child by entering a devotee’s mind. His appearance within Vasudeva is explained as an awakening of consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The word āviveśa signifies that the Lord appeared within the mind of Vasudeva.
  • In the Vaiṣṇava-toṣaṇī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī says that consciousness was awakened within the mind of Vasudeva.
  • Śrīla Vīrarāghava Ācārya also says that Vasudeva was one of the demigods and that within his mind the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as an awakening of consciousness.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Terror → Wonder and relief. The threat of destruction yields to divine appearance.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 10: Threat from Kaṁsa and Kṛṣṇa's birth. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Womb

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After Yoga-māyā transferred the seventh child of Devakī to the womb of Rohiṇī, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared within the heart of Vasudeva and transferred Himself into the heart of Devakī. Because the Lord was present in her heart, Devakī, as her pregnancy continued, appeared effulgent.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.2
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. apialso
  3. viśvātmāthe Supersoul of all living entities
  4. bhaktānāmof His devotees
  5. abhayam-karaḥalways killing the causes of fear
  6. āviveśaentered
  7. aṁśa-bhāgenawith all of His potent opulences ( ṣaḍ-aiśvarya-pūrṇa)
  8. manaḥin the mind
  9. ānakadundubheḥof Vasudeva
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.2

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotees’”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.2

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.2

    In this verse: “child”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I give more attention to reviving my love for Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Take one minute today to remember Kṛṣṇa within the heart as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the object of your love.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAwaken Love for Kṛṣṇa WithinThis 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 10.2.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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