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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
10.27.610.27.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.27.7

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Indrasince 10.27.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ये मद्विधाज्ञा जगदीशमानिन-स्त्वां वीक्ष्य कालेऽभयमाशु तन्मदम् । हित्वार्यमार्गं प्रभजन्त्यपस्मयाईहा खलानामपि तेऽनुशासनम् ॥ ७ ॥

ye mad-vidhājñā jagad-īśa-māninas

tvāṁ vīkṣya kāle ’bhayam āśu tan-madam

hitvārya-mārgaṁ prabhajanty apasmayā

īhā khalānām api te ’nuśāsanam

Translation

Even fools like me, who proudly think themselves universal lords, quickly give up their conceit and directly take to the path of the spiritually progressive when they see You are fearless even in the face of time. Thus You punish the mischievous only to instruct them.

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.

Give Up Conceit and Follow Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Indra admits that foolish persons like himself imagine they are universal lords. Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s fearlessness, they can abandon conceit and take the spiritually progressive path.

  2. 2

    Proud leaders endanger innocent people, as Indra endangered the residents of Vṛndāvana. The purport urges people to choose Kṛṣṇa conscious leaders whose administration follows God’s laws.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s punishment is meant to instruct. Rather than fall from a proud position, we should submissively carry out the will of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the all-attractive Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Nowadays, governments in the Western countries tend to be elected democratically, and thus the mass of people become identified with the destiny of their leaders.
  • Thus the people in the democratic nations of the world should elect Kṛṣṇa conscious leaders, who will establish an administration consonant with the laws of God.
  • Thus the chastisement mentioned in this verse has become unprecedentedly applicable to people in general in the modern world.

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:

By this means He crushes the false prestige of those who presume themselves great controllers. Indra went on to declare that Kṛṣṇa is the father, guru and Lord of all living entities, and that in the form of time He is the agent of their punishment.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yethose who
  2. mat-vidhalike me
  3. ajñāḥfoolish persons
  4. jagat-īśaas lords of the universe
  5. māninaḥfalsely identifying themselves
  6. tvāmYou
  7. vīkṣyaseeing
  8. kāleat time (of fear)
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

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “proudly”, “proud”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “fearless”, “fearlessness”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “give up”

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

In what responsibility do I need to serve Kṛṣṇa’s will rather than consider myself the controller?

Practice

Before making one decision that affects others today, pause and examine whether pride is directing you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGive Up Conceit and Follow KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.27.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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