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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.9

Who is speaking and story frame

धर्मव्यतिक्रमो ह्यस्य समाजस्य ध्रुवं भवेत् । यत्राधर्म: समुत्तिष्ठेन्न स्थेयं तत्र कर्हिचित् ॥ ९ ॥

dharma-vyatikramo hy asya

samājasya dhruvaṁ bhavet

yatrādharmaḥ samuttiṣṭhen

na stheyaṁ tatra karhicit

Translation

Religious principles have certainly been violated in this assembly. One should not remain for even a moment in a place where irreligion is flourishing.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Do Not Remain Where Irreligion Flourishes

  1. 1

    The women declared that religious principles had certainly been violated in the assembly.

  2. 2

    They said one should not remain in a place where irreligion is flourishing.

  3. 3

    Their warning was immediate: one should not stay there even for a moment.

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:

The ladies in the arena, seeing the violent battle, began to condemn the King and all the members of the assembly: “A respectable audience should never have allowed a wrestling match between such huge wrestlers, whose limbs are as tough as lightning bolts, and such tender young boys, who are just entering youth. An intelligent person should never enter an assembly if he sees injustice being done there.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.44
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dharmaof religious principles
  2. vyatikramaḥtransgression
  3. hiindeed
  4. asyaby this
  5. samājasyacompany
  6. dhruvamcertainly
  7. bhavetmust be
  8. yatrawherein
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.44

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

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

Am I remaining in any gathering where wrongdoing is encouraged?

Practice

Step away today from one conversation or gathering that encourages wrongdoing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Remain Where Irreligion FlourishesThis 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 10.44.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.