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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 57: Satrājit Murdered, the Jewel Returned
10.57.810.57.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.57.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.57.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तदाकर्ण्येश्वरौ राजन्ननुसृत्य नृलोकताम् ।

अहो न: परमं कष्टमित्यस्राक्षौ विलेपतु: ॥ ९ ॥

tad ākarṇyeśvarau rājann

anusṛtya nṛ-lokatām

aho naḥ paramaṁ kaṣṭam

ity asrākṣau vilepatuḥ

Translation

When Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma heard this news, O King, They exclaimed, “Alas! This is the greatest tragedy for Us!” Thus imitating the ways of human society, They lamented, Their eyes brimming with tears.

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 Lords Express Humanlike Sorrow

  1. 1

    When Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma heard the news, They called it the greatest tragedy for Them.

  2. 2

    They lamented with Their eyes brimming with tears.

  3. 3

    The translation describes Them as imitating the ways of human society. Their humanlike expression of sorrow does not mean They cease to be the two Lords.

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 57: Satrājit Murdered, the Jewel Returned

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Queen Satyabhāmā was overcome with grief at the death of her father, and she rushed to Hastināpura to report the sorrowful news to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Together with Lord Baladeva, Kṛṣṇa then returned to Dvārakā to kill Śatadhanvā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.57
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatthat
  2. ākarṇyahearing
  3. īśvarauthe two Lords
  4. rājanO King (Parīkṣit)
  5. anusṛtyaimitating
  6. nṛ-lokatāmthe way of human society
  7. ahoalas
  8. naḥfor Us
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.57

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.57

    In this verse: “king”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.57

    In this verse: “lamented”

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 can I appreciate the Lords’ tears while remembering Their divine position?

Practice

Read the verse once more, noticing both the Lords’ tears and the description of Their humanlike conduct.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lords Express Humanlike 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 10.57.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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