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 28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa
10.28.210.28.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.28.3

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.28.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

चुक्रुशुस्तमपश्यन्त: कृष्ण रामेति गोपका: । भगवांस्तदुपश्रुत्य पितरं वरुणाहृतम् । तदन्तिकं गतो राजन्स्वानामभयदो विभु: ॥ ३ ॥

cukruśus tam apaśyantaḥ

kṛṣṇa rāmeti gopakāḥ

bhagavāṁs tad upaśrutya

pitaraṁ varuṇāhṛtam

tad-antikaṁ gato rājan

svānām abhaya-do vibhuḥ

Translation

O King, not seeing Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd men loudly cried out, “O Kṛṣṇa! O Rāma!” Lord Kṛṣṇa heard their cries and understood that His father had been captured by Varuṇa. Therefore the almighty Lord, who makes His devotees fearless, went to the court of Varuṇadeva.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Makes His Devotees Fearless

  1. 1

    When Nanda Mahārāja did not return from the water, the cowherd men loudly called out, “O Kṛṣṇa! O Rāma!”

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa immediately came and understood that His father had been captured by Varuṇa. He entered the water and went to Varuṇa’s court.

  3. 3

    The almighty Lord was determined to free His father and the cowherd men from fear of a mere demigod. He is the giver of fearlessness to His devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that when Nanda Mahārāja went to bathe in the river, he was accompanied by several cowherd men.
  • When Nanda did not come out of the water, they began to cry out, and Lord Kṛṣṇa immediately came there.
  • Understanding the situation, Śrī Kṛṣṇa entered the water and went to the court of the demigod Varuṇa, determined to free His father and the other cowherd men from fear of a mere demigod.

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 28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the early morning the cowherd men unsuccessfully searched for Nanda, but Lord Kṛṣṇa immediately understood the situation and went to see Varuṇa. Varuṇa worshiped Kṛṣṇa with great and variegated festivity.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. cukruśuḥthey called out loudly
  2. tamhim, Nanda
  3. apaśyantaḥnot seeing
  4. kṛṣṇaO Kṛṣṇa
  5. rāmaO Rāma
  6. itithus
  7. gopakāḥthe cowherd men
  8. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa
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 10.28

    In this verse: “nanda”, “father”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “fearless”, “fear”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

When I feel afraid, do I remember to call upon Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Bring one worry to Kṛṣṇa in a short prayer, remembering that He gives His devotees fearlessness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Makes His Devotees FearlessThis 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 10.28.3? 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