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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.4.30

Who is speaking and story frame

आकर्ण्य भर्तुर्गदितं तमूचुर्देवशत्रव: ।

देवान् प्रति कृतामर्षा दैतेया नातिकोविदा: ॥ ३० ॥

ākarṇya bhartur gaditaṁ

tam ūcur deva-śatravaḥ

devān prati kṛtāmarṣā

daiteyā nāti-kovidāḥ

Translation

After hearing their master’s statement, the envious asuras, who were enemies of the demigods and were not very expert in their dealings, advised Kaṁsa as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Is the Basis of True Expertise

  1. 1

    Devotees of Lord Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa, are called suras or devas. Those opposed to the devotees are called asuras.

  2. 2

    Devotees are described as expert in their dealings, with good qualities accompanying devotion. Devotional service, not outward skill alone, is the foundation of this expertise.

  3. 3

    Kaṁsa’s ministers were envious asuras, neither sober nor truly expert. Although appearing skilled in passionate activities, their efforts would ultimately be baffled.

Key points from the purport
  • There are two different types of men — the asuras and the suras.
  • Therefore they are called kovida, which means “expert.”
  • Asuras, however, although superficially showing expertise in passionate activities, are actually all fools.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 10.4.30 quotesBG 9.12

According to this description of the asuras given in Bhagavad-gītā (9.12), whatever they do will ultimately be baffled.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Although the demigods always feared Kaṁsa, they should not be treated leniently; since they were enemies, Kaṁsa should try his best to uproot their existence. The demoniac ministers further advised that Kaṁsa and the demons continue their enmity toward Viṣṇu because Viṣṇu is the original person among all the demigods.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.4
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ākarṇyaafter hearing
  2. bhartuḥof their master
  3. gaditamthe words or statement
  4. tam ūcuḥreplied to him
  5. deva-śatravaḥall the asuras, who were enemies of the demigods
  6. devānthe demigods
  7. pratitoward
  8. kṛta-amarṣāḥwho were envious
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “hearing”

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

Do I value devotion and sober judgment more than impressive outward skill?

Practice

Before accepting one piece of advice today, consider whether it reflects sobriety or envy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Is the Basis of True ExpertiseThis 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 10.4.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.