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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 10.45.8

Who is speaking and story frame

तन्नावकल्पयो: कंसान्नित्यमुद्विग्नचेतसो: ।

मोघमेते व्यतिक्रान्ता दिवसा वामनर्चतो: ॥ ८ ॥

tan nāv akalpayoḥ kaṁsān

nityam udvigna-cetasoḥ

mogham ete vyatikrāntā

divasā vām anarcatoḥ

Translation

Thus We have wasted all these days, unable as We were to properly honor you because Our minds were always disturbed by fear of Kaṁsa.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Awakens His Parents’ Sympathy

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa described the days without properly honoring His parents as wasted. He said that fear of Kaṁsa had continually disturbed Their minds.

  2. 2

    An ordinary child would fear a cruel, tyrannical king like Kaṁsa. Kṛṣṇa here plays the part of such a child.

  3. 3

    Through these words, Kṛṣṇa evokes Vasudeva and Devakī’s parental sympathy. He brings them back to their normal parental feelings toward Him and Balarāma.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa continues to bring Vasudeva and Devakī back to their normal parental feelings toward Him and Balarāma.
  • An ordinary child would be afraid of a cruel, tyrannical king like Kaṁsa, and Lord Kṛṣṇa here plays the part of such a child, thus evoking the parental sympathy of Vasudeva and Devakī.

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 45: Kṛṣṇa Rescues His Teacher’s Son

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

It was out of fear of Kaṁsa that We could not serve you, so now please forgive Us.” Vasudeva and Devakī, overcome with emotion upon hearing these words of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s, embraced their two sons and in ecstasy shed a torrent of tears.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.45
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tattherefore
  2. nauof Us two
  3. akalpayoḥwho were unable
  4. kaṁsātbecause of Kaṁsa
  5. nityamalways
  6. udvignadisturbed
  7. cetasoḥwhose minds
  8. moghamuselessly
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “child”, “parental”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.45

    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 do Kṛṣṇa’s words invite His parents to care for Him rather than stand in awe?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on how Kṛṣṇa’s gentle words restore His parents’ loving feelings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Awakens His Parents’ SympathyThis 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 10.45.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.