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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 46: Uddhava Visits Vṛndāvana
10.46.1910.46.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.46.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nanda Mahārājasince 10.46.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दावाग्नेर्वातवर्षाच्च वृषसर्पाच्च रक्षिता: ।

दुरत्ययेभ्यो मृत्युभ्य: कृष्णेन सुमहात्मना ॥ २० ॥

dāvāgner vāta-varṣāc ca

vṛṣa-sarpāc ca rakṣitāḥ

duratyayebhyo mṛtyubhyaḥ

kṛṣṇena su-mahātmanā

Translation

We were saved from the forest fire, the wind and rain, the bull and serpent demons — from all such insurmountable, deadly dangers — by that very great soul, Kṛṣṇa.

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.

Remembering Kṛṣṇa’s Protection

  1. 1

    Nanda recalled that Kṛṣṇa had saved them from the forest fire, wind and rain.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa had also protected them from the bull and serpent demons.

  3. 3

    These dangers were deadly and insurmountable, yet they were saved by that very great soul, Kṛṣṇa.

How it feels

Heartache → Unbroken remembrance. Love endures and deepens despite visible absence.

Chapters 46–49 of Canto 10: Uddhava, the gopīs and the Song of the Bee. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 46: Uddhava Visits Vṛndāvana

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He protected us from a forest fire, wind and rain, and many other disasters. By remembering His pastimes again and again, we are relieved of all karmic entanglement, and when we see the places marked by His lotus feet, our minds become fully absorbed in thought of Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.46
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dāva-agneḥfrom the forest fire
  2. vātafrom the wind
  3. varṣātand rain
  4. caalso
  5. vṛṣafrom the bull
  6. sarpātfrom the serpent
  7. caand
  8. rakṣitāḥprotected
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.46

    In this verse: “saved”, “protected”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.46

    In this verse: “dangers”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.46

    In this verse: “nanda”

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 remembering Kṛṣṇa’s protection deepen my appreciation for Him?

Practice

Read the list of dangers once, then offer Kṛṣṇa a brief expression of gratitude for His protection of His people.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembering Kṛṣṇa’s ProtectionThis 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 10.46.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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