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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
10.34.710.34.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.34.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अलातैर्दह्यमानोऽपि नामुञ्चत्तमुरङ्गम: ।

तमस्पृशत्पदाभ्येत्य भगवान्सात्वतां पति: ॥ ८ ॥

alātair dahyamāno ’pi

nāmuñcat tam uraṅgamaḥ

tam aspṛśat padābhyetya

bhagavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ

Translation

But even though the firebrands were burning him, the serpent would not release Nanda Mahārāja. Then the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, master of His devotees, came to the spot and touched the snake with His foot.

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 Comes When Efforts Fall Short

  1. 1

    Although the firebrands burned the serpent, he would not release Nanda Mahārāja.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord and the master of His devotees.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa came to the spot and touched the snake with His foot.

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:

Then Lord Kṛṣṇa came and touched the serpent with His lotus foot. The serpent was immediately freed from his reptilian body and appeared in his original form as a demigod.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. alātaiḥby the firebrands
  2. dahyamānaḥbeing burned
  3. apialthough
  4. na amuñcatdid not release
  5. tamhim
  6. uraṅgamaḥthe snake
  7. tamthat snake
  8. aspṛśattouched
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.34

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • 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

When my efforts fall short, do I remember Kṛṣṇa as the master of His devotees?

Practice

Bring one difficulty before Kṛṣṇa in prayer today, acknowledging the limits of your own efforts.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Comes When Efforts Fall ShortThis 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 10.34.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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