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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 10.55.36

Who is speaking and story frame

विज्ञातार्थोऽपि भगवांस्तूष्णीमास जनार्दन: ।

नारदोऽकथयत् सर्वं शम्बराहरणादिकम् ॥ ३६ ॥

vijñātārtho ’pi bhagavāṁs

tūṣṇīm āsa janārdanaḥ

nārado ’kathayat sarvaṁ

śambarāharaṇādikam

Translation

Although Lord Janārdana knew perfectly well what had transpired, He remained silent. The sage Nārada, however, explained everything, beginning with Śambara’s kidnapping of the child.

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 Knows, While Nārada Explains

  1. 1

    Lord Janārdana knows perfectly well everything that has happened.

  2. 2

    Although He knows the whole matter, He remains silent.

  3. 3

    The sage Nārada explains everything, beginning with Śambara’s kidnapping of the child.

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 55: The History of Pradyumna

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although the Lord understood the situation perfectly well, He remained silent. Then Nārada Muni arrived and explained everything.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.55
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vijñātaunderstanding fully
  2. arthaḥthe matter
  3. apieven though
  4. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. tūṣṇīmsilent
  6. āsaremained
  7. janārdanaḥKṛṣṇa
  8. nāradaḥNārada Muni
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 10.55

    In this verse: “child”

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 complete knowledge change your understanding of His silence?

Practice

Reread the verse and reflect for one minute on the difference between Kṛṣṇa’s silence and lack of knowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Knows, While Nārada ExplainsThis 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 10.55.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.