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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 45: Kṛṣṇa Rescues His Teacher’s Son
10.45.510.45.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.45.6

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.45.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्तयोरात्मज: कल्प आत्मना च धनेन च ।

वृत्तिं न दद्यात्तं प्रेत्य स्वमांसं खादयन्ति हि ॥ ६ ॥

yas tayor ātmajaḥ kalpa

ātmanā ca dhanena ca

vṛttiṁ na dadyāt taṁ pretya

sva-māṁsaṁ khādayanti hi

Translation

A son who, though able to do so, fails to provide for his parents with his physical resources and wealth is forced after his death to eat his own flesh.

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.

Provide for Parents When Able

  1. 1

    A son who is able to provide for his parents should support them.

  2. 2

    This support includes both his physical resources and his wealth. The verse calls for practical provision.

  3. 3

    The verse warns that a capable son who fails in this duty is forced after death to eat his own flesh. This severe consequence stresses the seriousness of neglecting parents.

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 45: Kṛṣṇa Rescues His Teacher’s Son

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Any capable son who fails to support his parents will be forced, in the hereafter, to eat his own flesh. Indeed, any person who does not maintain and nourish those under his care — children, wife, spiritual masters, brāhmaṇas, elderly parents, and so on — is simply a living corpse.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.45
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwho
  2. tayoḥof them
  3. ātma-jaḥa son
  4. kalpaḥcapable
  5. ātmanāwith his physical resources
  6. caand
  7. dhanenawith his wealth
  8. caalso
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “death”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “duty”

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

Within my actual ability, what practical support could I offer my parents?

Practice

If a parent needs support and you are able, meet one small need today through effort or money.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProvide for Parents When AbleThis 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 10.45.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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