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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
10.34.1010.34.12-13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.34.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

को भवान् परया लक्ष्म्या रोचतेऽद्भ‍ुतदर्शन: ।

कथं जुगुप्सितामेतां गतिं वा प्रापितोऽवश: ॥ ११ ॥

ko bhavān parayā lakṣmyā

rocate ’dbhuta-darśanaḥ

kathaṁ jugupsitām etāṁ

gatiṁ vā prāpito ’vaśaḥ

Translation

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear sir, you appear so wonderful, glowing with such great beauty. Who are you? And who forced you to assume this terrible body of a snake?

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

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 Asks About the Snake Form

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa addresses the person respectfully as “My dear sir,” noting his wonderful beauty.

  2. 2

    He asks who this radiant person is.

  3. 3

    He also asks who forced him to assume the terrible body of a snake.

How it feels

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The serpent was immediately freed from his reptilian body and appeared in his original form as a demigod. He told them about his previous identity and described how he had been cursed by a group of sages.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaḥwho
  2. bhavānyour good self
  3. parayāwith great
  4. lakṣmyābeauty
  5. rocateshine
  6. adbhutawonderful
  7. darśanaḥto see
  8. kathamwhy
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

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

How can Kṛṣṇa’s respectful words encourage me to ask about others without judging them?

Practice

In one conversation today, ask a respectful question rather than making an assumption.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Asks About the Snake FormThis 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 10.34.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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