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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 4: The Atrocities of King Kaṁsa
10.4.3210.4.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.4.33

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.4.28inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अस्यतस्ते शरव्रातैर्हन्यमाना: समन्तत: ।

जिजीविषव उत्सृज्य पलायनपरा ययु: ॥ ३३ ॥

asyatas te śara-vrātair

hanyamānāḥ samantataḥ

jijīviṣava utsṛjya

palāyana-parā yayuḥ

Translation

While being pierced by your arrows, which you discharged on all sides, some of them, who were injured by the multitude of arrows but who desired to live, fled the battlefield, intent on escaping.

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.

The Wounded Flee to Preserve Life

  1. 1

    Arrows were discharged on all sides, injuring some of those fighting.

  2. 2

    Those who fled desired to live despite their wounds.

  3. 3

    They gave up the battlefield and became intent on escaping.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asyataḥpierced by your discharged arrows
  2. teyour
  3. śara-vrātaiḥby the multitude of arrows
  4. hanyamānāḥbeing killed
  5. samantataḥhere and there
  6. jijīviṣavaḥaspiring to live
  7. utsṛjyagiving up the battlefield
  8. palāyana-parāḥintent on escaping
  9. yayuḥthey fled (the fighting)
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “gave up”

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 noticing the desire to live change my view of those who fled?

Practice

Reread the verse once, paying particular attention to the words “desired to live.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Wounded Flee to Preserve LifeThis 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 10.4.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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