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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 51: The Deliverance of Mucukunda
10.51.5610.51.58

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.51.57

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Mucukundasince 10.51.45inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

चिरमिह वृजिनार्तस्तप्यमानोऽनुतापै-

रवितृषषडमित्रोऽलब्धशान्ति: कथञ्चित् ।

शरणद समुपेतस्त्वत्पदाब्जं परात्म-

नभयमृतमशोकं पाहि मापन्नमीश ॥ ५७ ॥

ciram iha vṛjinārtas tapyamāno ’nutāpair

avitṛṣa-ṣaḍ-amitro ’labdha-śāntiḥ kathañcit

śaraṇa-da samupetas tvat-padābjaṁ parātman

abhayam ṛtam aśokaṁ pāhi māpannam īśa

Translation

For so long I have been pained by troubles in this world and have been burning with lamentation. My six enemies are never satiated, and I can find no peace. Therefore, O giver of shelter, O Supreme Soul, please protect me. O Lord, in the midst of danger I have by good fortune approached Your lotus feet, which are the truth and which thus make one fearless and free of sorrow.

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.

Seek Shelter From Fear and Sorrow

  1. 1

    The speaker has long suffered worldly troubles and burning lamentation. His six enemies remain unsatisfied, and he finds no peace.

  2. 2

    In danger, he appeals to the Lord, the giver of shelter and the Supreme Soul, for protection.

  3. 3

    He considers it good fortune to have approached the Lord’s lotus feet. They are the truth and make one fearless and free of sorrow.

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 51: The Deliverance of Mucukunda

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The wise Mucukunda, understanding the futility of material life, asked only that he might be allowed to take shelter of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. Pleased at this request, the Lord said to Mucukunda, “My devotees are never enticed by material benedictions offered to them; only nondevotees, namely yogīs and speculative philosophers, are interested in material benedictions, having mundane desires in their hearts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.51
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ciramfor a long time
  2. ihain this world
  3. vṛjinaby disturbances
  4. ārtaḥdistressed
  5. tapyamānaḥtormented
  6. anutāpaiḥwith remorse
  7. avitṛṣaunsatiated
  8. ṣaṭsix
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.51

    In this verse: “fearless”, “danger”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.51

    In this verse: “protect”, “protection”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.51

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

What trouble can I bring honestly before the Lord as I seek His protection?

Practice

Take one quiet minute to name a present sorrow and pray, “O Lord, please protect me.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Shelter From Fear and SorrowThis 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 10.51.57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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