1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.4.3310.4.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.4.34

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

केचित् प्राञ्जलयो दीना न्यस्तशस्त्रा दिवौकस: ।

मुक्तकच्छशिखा: केचिद् भीता: स्म इति वादिन: ॥ ३४ ॥

kecit prāñjalayo dīnā

nyasta-śastrā divaukasaḥ

mukta-kaccha-śikhāḥ kecid

bhītāḥ sma iti vādinaḥ

Translation

Defeated and bereft of all weapons, some of the demigods gave up fighting and praised you with folded hands, and some of them, appearing before you with loosened garments and hair, said, “O lord, we are very much afraid of you.”

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.

Defeat Reveals Fear and Helplessness

  1. 1

    Some demigods were defeated and bereft of all weapons, so they gave up fighting.

  2. 2

    Some praised the king with folded hands.

  3. 3

    Others appeared with loosened garments and hair and openly said that they were very afraid.

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:

The brāhmaṇas, the cows, the Vedas, austerity, truthfulness, control of the senses and mind, faithfulness and mercy are among the different parts of the body of Viṣṇu, who is the origin of all the demigods, including Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. Therefore, the ministers advised, the demigods, the saintly persons, the cows and the brāhmaṇas should be systematically persecuted.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kecitsome of them
  2. prāñjalayaḥfolded their hands just to please you
  3. dīnāḥvery poor
  4. nyasta-śastrāḥbeing bereft of all weapons
  5. divaukasaḥthe demigods
  6. mukta-kaccha-śikhāḥtheir garments and hair loosened and scattered
  7. kecitsome of them
  8. bhītāḥwe are very much afraid
  9. smaso became
  10. iti vādinaḥthey spoke thus
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”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “afraid”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “king”

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

Can I recognize when someone’s praise may come from fear?

Practice

Pause before seeking approval today, and consider whether the other person feels free to speak honestly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDefeat Reveals Fear and HelplessnessThis 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 10.4.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories