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 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa
10.26.1910.26.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.26.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nanda Mahārājasince 10.26.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पुरानेन व्रजपते साधवो दस्युपीडिता: । अराजके रक्ष्यमाणा जिग्युर्दस्यून्समेधिता: ॥ २० ॥

purānena vraja-pate

sādhavo dasyu-pīḍitāḥ

arājake rakṣyamāṇā

jigyur dasyūn samedhitāḥ

Translation

O Nanda Mahārāja, as recorded in history, when there was an irregular, incapable government, Indra having been dethroned, and when honest people were being harassed and disturbed by thieves, this child appeared in order to curb the rogues and to protect the people and enable them to flourish.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Protects People and Curbs Rogues

  1. 1

    Garga Muni recalled a time when government was irregular and incapable, and Indra had been dethroned.

  2. 2

    Honest people were being harassed and disturbed by thieves.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa appeared to curb the rogues, protect the people and enable them to flourish.

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:

In a previous age He had provided protection for the saintly brāhmaṇas when they were harassed by low-class dacoits and there was no proper ruler in society. As the demons in the higher planets can never defeat the demigods who have Lord Viṣṇu on their side, no enemy can ever defeat those who love Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. purāformerly
  2. anenaby Kṛṣṇa
  3. vraja-pateO King of Vraja
  4. sādhavaḥthose who were honest
  5. dasyu-pīḍitāḥbeing disturbed by rogues and thieves
  6. arājakewhen there was an irregular government
  7. rakṣyamāṇāḥwere protected
  8. jigyuḥconquered
  9. dasyūnthe rogues and thieves
  10. samedhitāḥflourished
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “nanda”, “child”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “protect”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “government”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s concern for harassed, honest people reveal about His protection?

Practice

Spend a moment remembering Kṛṣṇa’s purpose here: to restrain wrongdoing, protect people and help them flourish.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Protects People and Curbs RoguesThis 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 10.26.20? 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