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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 45: Kṛṣṇa Rescues His Teacher’s Son
10.45.810.45.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.45.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.45.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत् क्षन्तुमर्हथस्तात मातर्नौ परतन्त्रयो: ।

अकुर्वतोर्वां शुश्रूषां क्लिष्टयोर्दुर्हृदा भृशम् ॥ ९ ॥

tat kṣantum arhathas tāta

mātar nau para-tantrayoḥ

akurvator vāṁ śuśrūṣāṁ

kliṣṭayor durhṛdā bhṛśam

Translation

Dear Father and Mother, please forgive Us for not serving you. We are not independent and have been greatly frustrated by cruel 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 Requests Forgiveness Yet Remains Supreme

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa asked His father and mother to forgive Him and His brother for not serving them. He spoke of Their lack of independence and suffering under cruel Kaṁsa.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the words describing dependence and distress can also refer to Vasudeva and Devakī. They were under the control of Providence and troubled by Kaṁsa’s activities.

  3. 3

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa is always the absolute Personality of Godhead. His humble request does not mean that He has lost His supreme position.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Sanskrit grammar, the words para-tantrayoḥ and kliṣṭayoḥ may also refer to Vasudeva and Devakī.
  • Actually, Vasudeva and Devakī were under the control of Providence and were disturbed by the activities of Kaṁsa, whereas Śrī Kṛṣṇa is always the absolute Personality of Godhead.

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. tatthat
  2. kṣantumforgive
  3. arhathaḥyou may please
  4. tātaO Father
  5. mātaḥO Mother
  6. nauon the part of Us
  7. para-tantrayoḥwho are under the control of others
  8. akurvatoḥnot executing
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: “mother”, “father”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “suffering”, “distress”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “humble”

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 can Kṛṣṇa’s request for forgiveness help me approach a neglected responsibility humbly?

Practice

If you have neglected a service you owe a parent, offer a simple apology today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Requests Forgiveness Yet Remains SupremeThis 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 10.45.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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