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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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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 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa
10.44.1710.44.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.44.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सभया: स्त्रीगिर: श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्‍नेहशुचातुरौ । पितरावन्वतप्येतां पुत्रयोरबुधौ बलम् ॥ १८ ॥

sa-bhayāḥ strī-giraḥ śrutvā

putra-sneha-śucāturau

pitarāv anvatapyetāṁ

putrayor abudhau balam

Translation

Out of affection for the two Lords, Their parents [Devakī and Vasudeva] became overwhelmed with sorrow when they heard the women’s fearful statements. They grieved, not knowing their sons’ strength.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Parental Affection Brings Deep Concern

  1. 1

    Devakī and Vasudeva hear the women’s fearful statements and become overwhelmed with sorrow.

  2. 2

    Their grief arises from affection for their sons, whose strength they do not know.

  3. 3

    The purport explains their natural regret: why had they not kept their sons at home rather than allowing Them to enter this corrupt exhibition?

Key points from the purport
  • Naturally, Kṛṣṇa’s parents would lament in this situation, thinking “Why didn’t we keep our sons at home?
  • Why did we allow Them to participate in this corrupt exhibition?”

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

How it feels

Anxiety and conflict → Liberation and joy. Heroic victory is complicated by separation from Vraja.

Chapters 39–45 of Canto 10: Mathurā, Kaṁsa and reunion with parents. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Because Vasudeva and Devakī did not fully understand the power of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, they became extremely unhappy when they heard the women of the audience speak these words. Śrī Kṛṣṇa then grabbed Cāṇūra’s arms, whirled him around several times and threw him to the ground, killing him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.44
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sa-bhayāḥfearful
  2. strīof the women
  3. giraḥthe words
  4. śrutvāhearing
  5. putrafor their sons
  6. snehaby their affection
  7. śucawith sorrow
  8. āturauoverwhelmed
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.44

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.44

    In this verse: “fearful”

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 the parents’ regret help you understand their affection for the two Lords?

Practice

Read the parents’ thoughts in the purport slowly, and pause to appreciate their loving concern.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayParental Affection Brings Deep ConcernThis 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 10.44.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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