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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 10.50.49

Who is speaking and story frame

इति सम्मन्‍त्र्य भगवान् दुर्गं द्वादशयोजनम् ।

अन्त:समुद्रे नगरं कृत्‍स्‍नाद्भ‍ुतमचीकरत् ॥ ४९ ॥

iti sammantrya bhagavān

durgaṁ dvādaśa-yojanam

antaḥ-samudre nagaraṁ

kṛtsnādbhutam acīkarat

Translation

After thus discussing the matter with Balarāma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead had a fortress twelve yojanas in circumference built within the sea. Inside that fort He had a city built containing all kinds of wonderful things.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Builds a Wonderful City at Sea

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead discussed the matter with Balarāma before carrying out the plan.

  2. 2

    He had a fortress twelve yojanas in circumference built within the sea.

  3. 3

    Inside the fortress, He had a city built containing all kinds of wonderful things.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 50: Kṛṣṇa Establishes the City of Dvārakā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore the Lord constructed a wonderful city within the sea as a safe haven for the Yādavas; then He brought them all there by His mystic power. This city was fully populated with members of all four social orders, and within it no one felt the pangs of thirst and hunger.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.50
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. sammantryaconsulting
  3. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. durgama fortress
  5. dvādaśa-yojanamtwelve yojanas (about one hundred miles)
  6. antaḥwithin
  7. samudrethe sea
  8. nagarama city
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

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 Kṛṣṇa’s carrying out this plan deepen my appreciation of His care?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, expressing gratitude and a desire for devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Builds a Wonderful City at SeaThis 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 10.50.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.