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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 63: Lord Kṛṣṇa Fights with Bāṇāsura
10.63.35-3610.63.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.63.37

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Rudrasince 10.63.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तवावतारोऽयमकुण्ठधामन्

धर्मस्य गुप्‍त्‍यै जगतो हिताय ।

वयं च सर्वे भवतानुभाविता

विभावयामो भुवनानि सप्त ॥ ३७ ॥

tavāvatāro ’yam akuṇṭha-dhāman

dharmasya guptyai jagato hitāya

vayaṁ ca sarve bhavatānubhāvitā

vibhāvayāmo bhuvanāni sapta

Translation

Your current descent into the material realm, O Lord of unrestricted power, is meant for upholding the principles of justice and benefiting the entire universe. We demigods, each depending on Your grace and authority, develop the seven planetary systems.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Hear About Kṛṣṇa from Recognized Authorities

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa descends to uphold justice and benefit the entire universe. The demigods develop the seven planetary systems by His grace and authority.

  2. 2

    Although Kṛṣṇa appears with a humanlike body, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Out of causeless mercy, He appears in a form visible to our mundane eyes.

  3. 3

    To understand Śrī Kṛṣṇa, we must hear from recognized authorities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. These include Kṛṣṇa Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā and Lord Śiva, a recognized Vaiṣṇava authority.

Key points from the purport
  • As Lord Śiva glorifies Lord Kṛṣṇa doubt may arise, since, apparently, Lord Kṛṣṇa is standing before Lord Śiva as a historical personality with a humanlike body.
  • However, it is out of the Lord’s causeless mercy that He appears to us in a form visible to our mundane eyes.
  • If we want to understand the Absolute Truth, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, we must hear from recognized authorities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, such as Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā, or from Lord Śiva, a recognized Vaiṣṇava authority, who here glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The purport'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

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 63: Lord Kṛṣṇa Fights with Bāṇāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa was pleased with the Śiva-jvara, and after the Lord had promised him freedom from fear, the Śiva-jvara bowed down to Him and departed. Next Bāṇāsura returned and attacked Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa again, wielding all kinds of weapons in his thousand hands.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.63
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tavaYour
  2. avatāraḥdescent
  3. ayamthis
  4. akuṇṭhaunrestricted
  5. dhāmanO You whose power
  6. dharmasyaof justice
  7. guptyaifor the protection
  8. jagataḥof the universe
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.63

    In this verse: “grace”, “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.63

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.63

    In this verse: “material”

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

Whose guidance am I accepting as I try to understand Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read this prayer of Lord Śiva again, attending to what it teaches about Kṛṣṇa’s authority and mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear About Kṛṣṇa from Recognized AuthoritiesThis 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 10.63.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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