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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
10.34.410.34.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.34.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कश्चिन्महानहिस्तस्मिन् विपिनेऽतिबुभुक्षित: ।

यद‍ृच्छयागतो नन्दं शयानमुरगोऽग्रसीत् ॥ ५ ॥

kaścin mahān ahis tasmin

vipine ’ti-bubhukṣitaḥ

yadṛcchayāgato nandaṁ

śayānam ura-go ’grasīt

Translation

During the night a huge and extremely hungry snake appeared in that thicket. Slithering on his belly up to the sleeping Nanda Mahārāja, the snake began swallowing him.

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.

Danger Comes While Nanda Sleeps

  1. 1

    During the night, a huge and extremely hungry snake appeared in the thicket.

  2. 2

    Nanda Mahārāja was asleep when the snake approached him.

  3. 3

    Slithering on his belly, the snake began swallowing Nanda Mahārāja.

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:

As they slept, a hungry serpent came and began to swallow Nanda Mahārāja. Terrified, Nanda cried out in distress, “O Kṛṣṇa!
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaścita certain
  2. mahāngreat
  3. ahiḥsnake
  4. tasminin that
  5. vipinearea of the forest
  6. ati-bubhukṣitaḥextremely hungry
  7. yadṛcchayāby chance
  8. āgataḥcame there
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 10.34

    In this verse: “nanda”

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

What detail helps me appreciate how helpless Nanda Mahārāja was at this moment?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly and name one detail that shows the seriousness of Nanda Mahārāja’s danger.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDanger Comes While Nanda SleepsThis 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 10.34.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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