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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 4: The Atrocities of King Kaṁsa
10.4.1610.4.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.4.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.4.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दैवमप्यनृतं वक्ति न मर्त्या एव केवलम् ।

यद्विश्रम्भादहं पाप: स्वसुर्निहतवाञ्छिशून् ॥ १७ ॥

daivam apy anṛtaṁ vakti

na martyā eva kevalam

yad-viśrambhād ahaṁ pāpaḥ

svasur nihatavāñ chiśūn

Translation

Alas, not only human beings but sometimes even providence lies. And I am so sinful that I believed the omen of providence and killed so many of my sister’s children.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Fearful Belief Led to Sinful Action

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa laments that, in his view, even providence sometimes lies.

  2. 2

    He says that he trusted the omen of providence and killed many of his sister’s children.

  3. 3

    Even while questioning the omen, Kaṁsa calls himself sinful. His words acknowledge the terrible actions he performed.

How it feels

Terror → Wonder and relief. The threat of destruction yields to divine appearance.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 10: Threat from Kaṁsa and Kṛṣṇa's birth. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Atrocities of King Kaṁsa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Devakī and Vasudeva, being naturally very pious, immediately excused Kaṁsa for his atrocities, and Kaṁsa, after seeing that his sister and brother-in-law were happy, returned to his home. After the night passed, however, Kaṁsa called for his ministers and informed them of all that had happened.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. daivamprovidence
  2. apialso
  3. anṛtamlies
  4. vaktisay
  5. nanot
  6. martyāḥhuman beings
  7. evacertainly
  8. kevalamonly
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “children”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “laments”

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

Have I used something I believed or feared to excuse hurting another person?

Practice

Identify one hurtful choice without blaming circumstances, and write down what you need to acknowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFearful Belief Led to Sinful ActionThis 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 10.4.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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