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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
10.64.4210.64.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.43

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.64.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ब्राह्मणार्थो ह्यपहृतो हर्तारं पातयत्यध: ।

अजानन्तमपि ह्येनं नृगं ब्राह्मणगौरिव ॥ ४३ ॥

brāhmaṇārtho hy apahṛto

hartāraṁ pātayaty adhaḥ

ajānantam api hy enaṁ

nṛgaṁ brāhmaṇa-gaur iva

Translation

When a brāhmaṇa’s property is stolen, even unknowingly, it certainly causes the person who takes it to fall down, just as the brāhmaṇa’s cow did to Nṛga.

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.

Unknowing Theft Still Has Consequences

  1. 1

    Taking a brāhmaṇa’s property causes the taker to fall down, even when it is done unknowingly.

  2. 2

    The brāhmaṇa’s cow brought this consequence upon Nṛga. His case gives a concrete example of the warning.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that the Lord’s instructions are practical, not merely theoretical. Their consequences can be seen in Nṛga Mahārāja’s experience.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord here demonstrates that His instructions are not theoretical but practical, as seen concretely in the case of Nṛga Mahārāja.

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:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then instructed His personal associates, as well as the general mass of people, on the dangers of stealing a brāhmaṇa’s property. Finally, the Lord returned to His palace.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brāhmaṇaof a brāhmaṇa
  2. arthaḥthe property
  3. hiindeed
  4. apahṛtaḥtaken away
  5. hartāramthe taker
  6. pātayaticauses to fall
  7. adhaḥdown
  8. ajānantamunaware
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

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

Where could greater care help me avoid unknowingly taking what belongs to someone else?

Practice

Check the ownership of one borrowed or shared item before using or giving it away.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnknowing Theft Still Has ConsequencesThis 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 10.64.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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