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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa
10.28.610.28.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.28.7

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Varuṇasince 10.28.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अजानता मामकेन मूढेनाकार्यवेदिना । आनीतोऽयं तव पिता तद्भ‍वान् क्षन्तुमर्हति ॥ ७ ॥

ajānatā māmakena

mūḍhenākārya-vedinā

ānīto ’yaṁ tava pitā

tad bhavān kṣantum arhati

Translation

Your father, who is sitting here, was brought to me by a foolish, ignorant servant of mine who did not understand his proper duty. Therefore, please forgive us.

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.

Acknowledge Wrongdoing and Ask Forgiveness

  1. 1

    Varuṇa acknowledged that his foolish servant had brought Nanda Mahārāja without understanding his duty. He asked Kṛṣṇa to forgive them.

  2. 2

    Nanda Mahārāja was present as Varuṇa spoke. Varuṇa had seated him on a jeweled throne and personally worshiped him with respect.

  3. 3

    Nanda Mahārāja’s early bath was justified by the timing required to break his fast. Above such technical details, he was the Supreme Lord’s father and a most sacred person.

Key points from the purport
  • The word ayam, “this one here,” clearly indicates that Kṛṣṇa’s father, Nanda Mahārāja, was present as Varuṇa was speaking.
  • Technically, Nanda Mahārāja was correct in entering the water just before sunrise.
  • Above and beyond that, Nanda Mahārāja was acting as the Supreme Lord’s father and was therefore a most sacred person, beyond the touch of insignificant cosmic bureaucrats like the foolish servant of Varuṇa.

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:

Afterwards he begged the Lord to forgive his servant for having foolishly arrested the king of the cowherds. Nanda was amazed to see the influence Śrī Kṛṣṇa exerted in the court of Varuṇadeva, and after returning home he described his experiences to his friends and relatives.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ajānatāby one who was ignorant
  2. māmakenaby my servant
  3. mūḍhenafoolish
  4. akārya-vedinānot knowing his proper duty
  5. ānītaḥwas brought
  6. ayamthis person
  7. tavaYour
  8. pitāfather
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “father”, “nanda”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “understand”, “understanding”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “duty”

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

Am I willing to acknowledge a mistake and respectfully ask forgiveness?

Practice

If you have wronged someone, offer one clear apology today without making excuses.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAcknowledge Wrongdoing and Ask ForgivenessThis 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 10.28.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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