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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 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga
10.64.310.64.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.64.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

चर्मजैस्तान्तवै: पाशैर्बद्ध्वा पतितमर्भका: ।

नाशक्नुरन् समुद्धर्तुं कृष्णायाचख्युरुत्सुका: ॥ ४ ॥

carma-jais tāntavaiḥ pāśair

baddhvā patitam arbhakāḥ

nāśaknuran samuddhartuṁ

kṛṣṇāyācakhyur utsukāḥ

Translation

They caught on to the trapped lizard with leather thongs and then with woven ropes, but still they could not lift it out. So they went to Lord Kṛṣṇa and excitedly told Him about the creature.

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.

Turning to Kṛṣṇa When Efforts Fail

  1. 1

    The boys used leather thongs and woven ropes, but they could not lift the lizard out.

  2. 2

    Unable to rescue it, they went to Lord Kṛṣṇa and excitedly told Him about the creature.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that this must be an early pastime because the Yadu boys, even Śrī Pradyumna, are described as quite young.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that because in this chapter the Yadu boys, even Śrī Pradyumna, are described as quite young, this must be an early pastime.

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:

But after several attempts with leather thongs and ropes, they saw that they would not be able to rescue the creature, and thus they went to Lord Kṛṣṇa and told Him what had happened. The Lord accompanied them to the well and, extending His left hand, easily lifted the lizard out.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. carma-jaiḥmade of leather
  2. tāntavaiḥand made of spun thread
  3. pāśaiḥwith ropes
  4. baddhvāattaching
  5. patitamthe fallen creature
  6. arbhakāḥthe boys
  7. na aśaknuranthey were not able
  8. samuddhartumto lift out
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “rescue”

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

When my efforts prove insufficient, do I turn toward Lord Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Tell Lord Kṛṣṇa about one difficulty today in a brief, sincere prayer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTurning to Kṛṣṇa When Efforts FailThis 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 10.64.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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