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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 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon
10.36.1810.36.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.36.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.36.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निवारितो नारदेन तत्सुतौ मृत्युमात्मन: ।

ज्ञात्वा लोहमयै: पाशैर्बबन्ध सह भार्यया ॥ १९ ॥

nivārito nāradena

tat-sutau mṛtyum ātmanaḥ

jñātvā loha-mayaiḥ pāśair

babandha saha bhāryayā

Translation

But Nārada restrained Kaṁsa by reminding him that it was the two sons of Vasudeva who would cause his death. Kaṁsa then had Vasudeva and his wife shackled in iron chains.

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.

Nārada Arranges Kṛṣṇa’s Coming to Mathurā

  1. 1

    Nārada restrained Kaṁsa by reminding him that Vasudeva’s sons would cause his death. Kaṁsa then shackled Vasudeva and his wife in iron chains.

  2. 2

    According to the ācāryas, Nārada warned that killing Vasudeva might cause the boys to flee. He advised Kaṁsa to bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Mathurā instead.

  3. 3

    Nārada was not acting against the great devotees Vasudeva and Devakī. Vasudeva was grateful because Nārada was arranging both Kaṁsa’s death at Kṛṣṇa’s hands and Kṛṣṇa’s presence in Mathurā, where His father could associate with Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Kaṁsa realized that there was no use in killing Vasudeva, since it was Vasudeva’s sons, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who were to kill him.
  • According to the ācāryas, Nārada also advised Kaṁsa that if he killed Vasudeva the two young boys might flee and that it was therefore better not to kill him.
  • In fact, as explained in the Eleventh Canto, Vasudeva was grateful to Nārada because he was arranging for Kaṁsa’s death at Kṛṣṇa’s hands, and further arranging for Kṛṣṇa to come and live in Mathurā, where His loving father could associate with Him.

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 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Furthermore, said Nārada, Kaṁsa would meet his death at Their hands. Kaṁsa shook with fear and anger when he heard all this, and in great agitation he began thinking of how to destroy Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.36
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nivāritaḥchecked
  2. nāradenaby Nārada
  3. tat-sutauhis two sons
  4. mṛtyumdeath
  5. ātmanaḥhis own
  6. jñātvāunderstanding
  7. loha-mayaiḥmade of iron
  8. pāśaiḥwith shackles
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.36

    In this verse: “father”

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 does the purport change my first impression of Nārada’s actions?

Practice

Write down the two reasons the purport gives for Vasudeva’s gratitude to Nārada.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.36's connections

Live this todayNārada Arranges Kṛṣṇa’s Coming to MathurāThis 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 10.36.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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