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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
10.27.1910.27.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.27.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mother Surabhisince 10.27.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

त्वं न: परमकं दैवं त्वं न इन्द्रो जगत्पते । भवाय भव गोविप्रदेवानां ये च साधव: ॥ २० ॥

tvaṁ naḥ paramakaṁ daivaṁ

tvaṁ na indro jagat-pate

bhavāya bhava go-vipra

devānāṁ ye ca sādhavaḥ

Translation

You are our worshipable Deity. Therefore, O Lord of the universe, for the benefit of the cows, the brāhmaṇas, the demigods and all other saintly persons, please become our Indra.

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.

Serve Without False Pride

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is self-sufficient and can do everything Himself. He appointed one of His innumerable children to the position of Indra.

  2. 2

    Indra abused his authority by attacking Lord Kṛṣṇa and His Vṛndāvana devotees. Surabhi therefore asks Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth, to become her Lord directly.

  3. 3

    Surabhi’s prayer seeks the welfare of the cows, brāhmaṇas, demigods and saintly persons. The purport teaches us to perform our duties carefully, without false pride.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord appointed one of His innumerable children to the position of Indra, the lord of the cosmic heaven.
  • But Indra abused his authority, and now Surabhi requests Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth, to directly become her Lord, her Indra.
  • We should carefully perform our duties without false pride; thus we will not become obsolete and embarrassed, as in the present case of King Indra, who actually attacked Lord Kṛṣṇa and His Vṛndāvana devotees.

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:

Therefore if Lord Kṛṣṇa desires the actual good fortune of some person, He brings him down from his position of opulence. Lord Kṛṣṇa ordered Indra to return to his proper position in heaven and to serve there without egotism.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamYou
  2. naḥour
  3. paramakamsupreme
  4. daivamworshipable Deity
  5. tvamYou
  6. naḥour
  7. indraḥLord Indra
  8. jagat-pateO master of the universe
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “worshipable”, “devotees”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “children”

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

Where might false pride be affecting how I carry out my duties?

Practice

Choose one duty today and perform it carefully, without seeking praise.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe 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 10.27.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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