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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 27: Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers
10.27.1610.27.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.27.17

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.27.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गम्यतां शक्र भद्रं व: क्रियतां मेऽनुशासनम् । स्थीयतां स्वाधिकारेषु युक्तैर्व: स्तम्भवर्जितै: ॥ १७ ॥

gamyatāṁ śakra bhadraṁ vaḥ

kriyatāṁ me ’nuśāsanam

sthīyatāṁ svādhikāreṣu

yuktair vaḥ stambha-varjitaiḥ

Translation

Indra, you may now go. Execute My order and remain in your appointed position as King of heaven. But be sober, without false pride.

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.

Fulfill Responsibilities Without False Pride

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Indra to remain in his appointed position as King of heaven.

  2. 2

    Indra must execute the Lord’s order soberly and without false pride. Keeping his position does not mean keeping his arrogance.

  3. 3

    The Lord addresses Indra in the plural because this grave instruction is a lesson for all the demigods.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa here addresses Indra in the plural form (vaḥ) because this grave instruction was meant to be a lesson for all the demigods.

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

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 27: Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Satisfied with Indra’s prayers, Śrī Kṛṣṇa told him that He had stopped the indra-yajña so that Indra, puffed up as he was with false pride, would remember the Lord. Persons intoxicated by material opulence never see Him standing before them with the rod of punishment in His hand.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gamyatāmyou may go
  2. śakraO Indra
  3. bhadramgood fortune
  4. vaḥunto you
  5. kriyatāmyou should execute
  6. meMy
  7. anuśāsanamorder
  8. sthīyatāmyou may remain
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “king”

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 can I carry out my responsibilities without treating my position as a reason for pride?

Practice

Complete one responsibility carefully today, with the intention to serve Kṛṣṇa rather than gain recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFulfill Responsibilities Without False PrideThis 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 10.27.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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