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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 50: Kṛṣṇa Establishes the City of Dvārakā
10.50.7-810.50.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.50.9

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.50.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतदर्थोऽवतारोऽयं भूभारहरणाय मे ।

संरक्षणाय साधूनां कृतोऽन्येषां वधाय च ॥ ९ ॥

etad-artho ’vatāro ’yaṁ

bhū-bhāra-haraṇāya me

saṁrakṣaṇāya sādhūnāṁ

kṛto ’nyeṣāṁ vadhāya ca

Translation

This is the purpose of My present incarnation — to relieve the earth of its burden, protect the pious and kill the impious.

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.

The Purpose of the Lord’s Descent

  1. 1

    The Lord states that His present incarnation is meant to relieve the earth of its burden.

  2. 2

    He descends to protect the pious.

  3. 3

    He also descends to kill the impious; this is part of the purpose He declares.

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:

When Śrī Kṛṣṇa saw Jarāsandha attacking, the Lord considered the reasons for His descent to this world and then decided to destroy Jarāsandha’s army, which was a burden to the earth. Two effulgent chariots suddenly appeared, equipped with drivers and furnishings, together with all the Lord’s personal weapons.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.50
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatfor this
  2. arthaḥpurpose
  3. avatāraḥdescent
  4. ayamthis
  5. bhūof the earth
  6. bhārathe burden
  7. haraṇāyafor removing
  8. meby Me
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 10.50

    In this verse: “protect”

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

Which of the Lord’s stated purposes most deepens your appreciation of His descent?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and recall each of the three purposes the Lord gives.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Purpose of the Lord’s DescentThis 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 10.50.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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