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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma

10.37.22 10.37.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.37.10-11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

त्वामीश्वरं स्वाश्रयमात्ममायया

विनिर्मिताशेषविशेषकल्पनम् ।

क्रीडार्थमद्यात्तमनुष्यविग्रहं

नतोऽस्मि धुर्यं यदुवृष्णिसात्वताम् ॥ २३ ॥

tvām īśvaraṁ svāśrayam ātma-māyayā

vinirmitāśeṣa-viśeṣa-kalpanam

krīḍārtham adyātta-manuṣya-vigrahaṁ

nato ’smi dhuryaṁ yadu-vṛṣṇi-sātvatām

Translation

I bow down to You, the supreme controller, who are dependent only on Yourself. By Your potency You have constructed the unlimited particular arrangements of this universe. Now you have appeared as the greatest hero among the Yadus, Vṛṣṇis and Sātvatas and have chosen to participate in human warfare.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Independent Lord Chooses Human Pastimes

1
The speaker bows to the supreme controller, who depends only on Himself.
2
By His own potency, the Lord has constructed the unlimited particular arrangements of the universe.
3
He has appeared as the greatest hero among the Yadus, Vṛṣṇis and Sātvatas. His participation in human warfare is His own choice.

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

Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Soon thereafter Nārada Muni, the great sage among the demigods, approached Kṛṣṇa and prayed to Him in various ways, glorifying the Lord’s future pastimes. Then Nārada paid his obeisances and departed.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.37