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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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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 3: The Birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.3.34-3510.3.37-38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.3.36

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.3.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं वां तप्यतोस्तीव्रं तप: परमदुष्करम् ।

दिव्यवर्षसहस्राणि द्वादशेयुर्मदात्मनो: ॥ ३६ ॥

evaṁ vāṁ tapyatos tīvraṁ

tapaḥ parama-duṣkaram

divya-varṣa-sahasrāṇi

dvādaśeyur mad-ātmanoḥ

Translation

Thus you spent twelve thousand celestial years performing difficult activities of tapasya in consciousness of Me [Kṛṣṇa consciousness].

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Keep Kṛṣṇa Central Throughout Austerity

  1. 1

    The couple performed difficult activities of tapasya, or austerity.

  2. 2

    Their austerities continued for twelve thousand celestial years.

  3. 3

    Throughout this time, they remained in consciousness of Kṛṣṇa. Their difficult efforts were centered on Him.

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:

He had appeared as Pṛśnigarbha and Vāmanadeva, and now this was the third time He was appearing as the son of Devakī to fulfill their desire. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. vāmfor both of you
  3. tapyatoḥexecuting austerities
  4. tīvramvery severe
  5. tapaḥausterity
  6. parama-duṣkaramextremely difficult to execute
  7. divya-varṣacelestial years, or years counted according to the higher planetary system
  8. sahasrāṇithousand
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When something requires patience, can I keep my attention on Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside one quiet minute today to think of Kṛṣṇa without turning to another activity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKeep Kṛṣṇa Central Throughout AusterityThis 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 10.3.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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