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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
10.64.2310.64.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.24

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Yamarājasince 10.64.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पूर्वं देवाशुभं भुञ्ज इति प्राह पतेति स: ।

तावदद्राक्षमात्मानं कृकलासं पतन् प्रभो ॥ २४ ॥

pūrvaṁ devāśubhaṁ bhuñja

iti prāha pateti saḥ

tāvad adrākṣam ātmānaṁ

kṛkalāsaṁ patan prabho

Translation

I replied, “First, my lord, let me suffer my sinful reactions,” and Yamarāja said, “Then fall!” At once I fell, and while falling I saw myself becoming a lizard, O master.

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.

Nṛga Faces His Sinful Reactions

  1. 1

    Nṛga chooses to suffer his sinful reactions first.

  2. 2

    Yamarāja tells him, “Then fall!” The result follows at once.

  3. 3

    While falling, Nṛga sees himself becoming a lizard.

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:

I decided to suffer my sinful reactions first, and thus I assumed the body of a lizard.” After King Nṛga had told his story, he offered prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa and then mounted a celestial airplane, which transported him to heaven.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pūrvamfirst
  2. devaO lord
  3. aśubhamthe sinful reactions
  4. bhuñjeI will experience
  5. itithus saying
  6. prāhasaid
  7. patafall
  8. itithus
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “sinful”

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 Nṛga’s immediate fall affect my awareness of the consequences of my actions?

Practice

Before one decision today, pause and consider whether the action could cause harm.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNṛga Faces His Sinful ReactionsThis 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 10.64.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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