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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
10.34.1410.34.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The serpentsince 10.34.12-13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं त्वाहं भवभीतानां प्रपन्नानां भयापहम् ।

आपृच्छे शापनिर्मुक्त: पादस्पर्शादमीवहन् ॥ १५ ॥

taṁ tvāhaṁ bhava-bhītānāṁ

prapannānāṁ bhayāpaham

āpṛcche śāpa-nirmuktaḥ

pāda-sparśād amīva-han

Translation

My Lord, You destroy all fear for those who, fearing this material world, take shelter of You. By the touch of Your feet I am now freed from the curse of the sages. O destroyer of distress, please let me return to my planet.

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.

Take Shelter and Return with Humility

  1. 1

    The Lord destroys fear for those who fear material existence and take shelter of Him.

  2. 2

    Freed from the curse by the touch of the Lord’s feet, Sudarśana humbly requests permission to return to his planet.

  3. 3

    The ācāryas explain that he wished to resume his duties, certainly in a chastened state of mind.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, the word āpṛcche indicates that Sudarśana humbly requested the Lord for permission to return to his abode, where he might take up his duties again, certainly in a chastened state of mind.

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

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. tamthat same person
  2. tvāYou
  3. ahamI
  4. bhavaof material existence
  5. bhītānāmfor those who are afraid
  6. prapannānāmwho are surrendered
  7. bhayaof fear
  8. apahamthe remover
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.34

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.34

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.34

    In this verse: “fear”

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 receiving help make me humbler in carrying out my duties?

Practice

Before one duty today, offer a short prayer for shelter in the Lord and approach the task humbly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Shelter and Return with HumilityThis 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 10.34.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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