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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 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa
10.26.1610.26.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.26.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nanda Mahārājasince 10.26.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रागयं वसुदेवस्य क्‍वचिज्जातस्तवात्मज: । वासुदेव इति श्रीमानभिज्ञा: सम्प्रचक्षते ॥ १७ ॥

prāgayaṁ vasudevasya

kvacij jātas tavātmajaḥ

vāsudeva iti śrīmān

abhijñāḥ sampracakṣate

Translation

For many reasons, this beautiful son of yours sometimes appeared previously as the son of Vasudeva. Therefore, those who are learned sometimes call this child Vāsudeva.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Why Kṛṣṇa Is Called Vāsudeva

  1. 1

    Garga Muni described Kṛṣṇa as Nanda’s beautiful son.

  2. 2

    For many reasons, this same child had sometimes appeared previously as the son of Vasudeva.

  3. 3

    Those who are learned therefore sometimes call Him Vāsudeva. This name reflects His appearance as Vasudeva’s son.

How it feels

Attraction and threat → Joy and trust. The pastoral world becomes the setting for protection and love.

Chapters 20–28 of Canto 10: Forest seasons, flute and Govardhana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Because He descended as the son of Vasudeva, one of His many names is Vāsudeva, and He has innumerable other names indicating His many qualities and activities. Garga Muni had predicted that Kṛṣṇa would prevent all sorts of catastrophes in Gokula, spread unlimited auspiciousness, and increase the ecstasy of the cowherd men and women.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prākbefore
  2. ayamthis child
  3. vasudevasyaof Vasudeva
  4. kvacitsometimes
  5. jātaḥwas born
  6. tavayour
  7. ātmajaḥKṛṣṇa, who has taken birth as your child
  8. vāsudevaḥtherefore He may be given the name Vāsudeva
3

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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “child”, “nanda’s”

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 reason for the name Vāsudeva enrich your remembrance of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Say the name Vāsudeva slowly, remembering the meaning explained in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWhy Kṛṣṇa Is Called VāsudevaThis 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 10.26.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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