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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 6: The Killing of the Demon Pūtanā
10.6.3210.6.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.6.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.6.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कलेवरं परशुभिश्छित्त्वा तत्ते व्रजौकस: ।

दूरे क्षिप्‍त्वावयवशो न्यदहन् काष्ठवेष्टितम् ॥ ३३ ॥

kalevaraṁ paraśubhiś

chittvā tat te vrajaukasaḥ

dūre kṣiptvāvayavaśo

nyadahan kāṣṭha-veṣṭitam

Translation

The inhabitants of Vraja cut the gigantic body of Pūtanā into pieces with the help of axes. Then they threw the pieces far away, covered them with wood and burned them to ashes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Precautions Until Danger Is Over

  1. 1

    The inhabitants of Vraja cut Pūtanā’s gigantic body into pieces with axes and carried the pieces far away.

  2. 2

    They covered the pieces with wood and burned them to ashes. Their response included precautions even after her death.

  3. 3

    The purport compares Pūtanā to a great serpent and explains the burning as a precaution intended to bring the danger to an end.

Key points from the purport
  • It is the practice that after a snake has been killed, its body is cut into various pieces for fear that it may come to life again simply by interacting with air.
  • Merely killing a serpent is not sufficient; after it is killed, it must be cut to pieces and burned, and then the danger will be over.
  • Pūtanā resembled a great serpent, and therefore the cowherd men took the same precautions by burning her body to ashes.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 6: The Killing of the Demon Pūtanā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The inhabitants of Vraja cut the gigantic body of Pūtanā into pieces, but because Kṛṣṇa had sucked her breast, she had been freed from all sins, and therefore when the cowherd men burned the pieces of her body in a fire, the smoke filled the air with a very pleasing fragrance. Ultimately, although Pūtanā had desired to kill Kṛṣṇa, she attained the Lord’s abode.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.6
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kalevaramthe gigantic body of Pūtanā
  2. paraśubhiḥwith the aid of axes
  3. chittvāafter cutting to pieces
  4. tatthat (body)
  5. teall of those
  6. vraja-okasaḥinhabitants of Vraja
  7. dūrefar, far away
  8. kṣiptvāafter throwing
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.6

    In this verse: “danger”, “death”

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 does the cowherd men’s thoroughness teach you about completing necessary precautions?

Practice

Finish one safe, ordinary precaution today, such as clearing a tripping hazard from a walkway.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Precautions Until Danger Is OverThis 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 10.6.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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