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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 10.4.46

Who is speaking and story frame

आयु: श्रियं यशो धर्मं लोकानाशिष एव च ।

हन्ति श्रेयांसि सर्वाणि पुंसो महदतिक्रम: ॥ ४६ ॥

āyuḥ śriyaṁ yaśo dharmaṁ

lokān āśiṣa eva ca

hanti śreyāṁsi sarvāṇi

puṁso mahad-atikramaḥ

Translation

My dear King, when a man persecutes great souls, all his benedictions of longevity, beauty, fame, religion, blessings and promotion to higher planets will be destroyed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Persecuting Great Souls Destroys Our Blessings

  1. 1

    Persecuting great souls destroys a person’s benedictions. Such conduct brings loss rather than welfare.

  2. 2

    Longevity, beauty and fame are among the gifts destroyed by this persecution.

  3. 3

    Religion, blessings and promotion to higher planets are also destroyed. The verse gives a serious warning against mistreating great souls.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Tenth Canto, Fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Atrocities of King Kaṁsa.”

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· 3

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.8.3-4

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.4.46): “When one mistreats great souls, his life span, opulence, reputation, religion, possessions and good fortune are all destroyed.”

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 15.270

This statement (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.4.46) was made by Śukadeva Gosvāmī to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 25.84

This statement (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.4.46) was made by Śukadeva Gosvāmī to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

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:

Strongly advised in this way by his friends, the demoniac ministers, Kaṁsa approved of their instructions and considered it beneficial to be envious of the brāhmaṇas. Following Kaṁsa’s orders, therefore, the demons began committing their atrocities all over Vrajabhūmi.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. āyuḥthe duration of life
  2. śriyambeauty
  3. yaśaḥfame
  4. dharmamreligion
  5. lokānelevation to higher planets
  6. āśiṣaḥblessings
  7. evaindeed
  8. caalso
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “blessings”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.4

    In this verse: “religion”

  • 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

How does this warning deepen my respect for great souls?

Practice

Offer a respectful word of appreciation to a saintly person today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPersecuting Great Souls Destroys Our BlessingsThis 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 10.4.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.