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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 4: The Atrocities of King Kaṁsa
10.4.3710.4.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.4.38

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

यथामयोऽङ्गे समुपेक्षितो नृभि-

र्न शक्यते रूढपदश्चिकित्सितुम् ।

यथेन्द्रियग्राम उपेक्षितस्तथा

रिपुर्महान् बद्धबलो न चाल्यते ॥ ३८ ॥

yathāmayo ’ṅge samupekṣito nṛbhir

na śakyate rūḍha-padaś cikitsitum

yathendriya-grāma upekṣitas tathā

ripur mahān baddha-balo na cālyate

Translation

As a disease, if initially neglected, becomes acute and impossible to cure, or as the senses, if not controlled at first, are impossible to control later, an enemy, if neglected in the beginning, later becomes insurmountable.

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.

Practice Sense Control From the Beginning

  1. 1

    A disease neglected at first can become acute and impossible to cure.

  2. 2

    The verse similarly warns that senses left uncontrolled at first become impossible to control later.

  3. 3

    It compares these dangers to an enemy who, after gaining strength, becomes insurmountable.

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. yathāas
  2. āmayaḥa disease
  3. aṅgein the body
  4. samupekṣitaḥbeing neglected
  5. nṛbhiḥby men
  6. nanot
  7. śakyateis able
  8. rūḍha-padaḥwhen it is acute
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “dangers”

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

Which sense habit needs attention before it becomes stronger?

Practice

Choose one unnecessary sense indulgence and refrain from it once today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPractice Sense Control From the BeginningThis 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 10.4.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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