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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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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 3: The Birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.3.2810.3.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.3.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Devakīsince 10.3.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

जन्म ते मय्यसौ पापो मा विद्यान्मधुसूदन ।

समुद्विजे भवद्धेतो: कंसादहमधीरधी: ॥ २९ ॥

janma te mayy asau pāpo

mā vidyān madhusūdana

samudvije bhavad-dhetoḥ

kaṁsād aham adhīra-dhīḥ

Translation

O Madhusūdana, because of Your appearance, I am becoming more and more anxious in fear of Kaṁsa. Therefore, please arrange for that sinful Kaṁsa to be unable to understand that You have taken birth from my womb.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Affection Overshadows Awareness of the Lord’s Power

  1. 1

    Devakī addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Madhusūdana. She knew He had killed demons far more powerful than Kaṁsa.

  2. 2

    Yet affection for the transcendental child made her think that Kaṁsa could kill Him. Her attention rested on loving concern rather than on the Lord’s unlimited power.

  3. 3

    In her anxiety, Devakī asked that Kaṁsa remain unaware of His birth. Out of affection, she requested the transcendental child to disappear.

Key points from the purport
  • Devakī addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Madhusūdana.
  • She was aware that the Lord had killed many demons like Madhu who were hundreds and thousands of times more powerful than Kaṁsa, yet because of affection for the transcendental child, she believed that Kaṁsa could kill Him.
  • Instead of thinking of the unlimited power of the Lord, she thought of the Lord with affection, and therefore she requested the transcendental child to disappear.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Terror → Wonder and relief. The threat of destruction yields to divine appearance.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 10: Threat from Kaṁsa and Kṛṣṇa's birth. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: The Birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Lord then decided to leave the residence of Vasudeva and Devakī, in the prison house of Kaṁsa, and at this very time, Yoga-māyā took birth as the daughter of Yaśodā. By the arrangement of Yoga-māyā, Vasudeva was able to leave the prison house and save the child from the hands of Kaṁsa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. janmathe birth
  2. teof Your Lordship
  3. mayiin my (womb)
  4. asauthat Kaṁsa
  5. pāpaḥextremely sinful
  6. mā vidyātmay be unable to understand
  7. madhusūdanaO Madhusūdana
  8. samudvijeI am full of anxiety
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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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.3

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.3

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.3

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Devakī’s prayer show the difference between knowing the Lord’s power and loving Him?

Practice

Reread Devakī’s prayer once, pausing to reflect on her affection for the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection Overshadows Awareness of the Lord’s PowerThis 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 10.3.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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