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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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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 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga
10.64.1110.64.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.12

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Nṛgasince 10.64.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यावत्य: सिकता भूमेर्यावत्यो दिवि तारका: ।

यावत्यो वर्षधाराश्च तावतीरददं स्म गा: ॥ १२ ॥

yāvatyaḥ sikatā bhūmer

yāvatyo divi tārakāḥ

yāvatyo varṣa-dhārāś ca

tāvatīr adadaṁ sma gāḥ

Translation

I gave in charity as many cows as there are grains of sand on the earth, stars in the heavens, or drops in a rain shower.

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.

Nṛga Gave Innumerable Cows

  1. 1

    Nṛga says he gave as many cows as there are grains of sand on the earth.

  2. 2

    He also compares their number to the stars in the heavens and drops in a rain shower.

  3. 3

    The purport explains the meaning of these comparisons: the King gave innumerable cows in charity.

Key points from the purport
  • The idea here is that the King gave innumerable cows in charity.

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 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, I gave away countless cows to numerous brāhmaṇas. But on one occasion a cow belonging to a first-class brāhmaṇa wandered into my herd.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāvatyaḥas many
  2. sikatāḥgrains of sand
  3. bhūmeḥbelonging to the earth
  4. yāvatyaḥas many
  5. diviin the sky
  6. tārakāḥstars
  7. yāvatyaḥas many
  8. varṣaof a rainfall
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “king”

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 do these comparisons help me appreciate about the scale of Nṛga’s charity?

Practice

Give one useful thing in charity today, reflecting on Nṛga’s willingness to give.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNṛga Gave Innumerable CowsThis 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 10.64.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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