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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 66: Pauṇḍraka, the False Vāsudeva
10.66.410.66.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.66.5

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:On Pauṇḍraka’s behalf, the messengersince 10.66.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वासुदेवोऽवतीर्णोऽहमेक एव न चापर: ।

भूतानामनुकम्पार्थं त्वं तु मिथ्याभिधां

त्यज ॥ ५ ॥

vāsudevo ’vatīrno ’ham

eka eva na cāparaḥ

bhūtānām anukampārthaṁ

tvaṁ tu mithyābhidhāṁ tyaja

Translation

[On Pauṇḍraka’s behalf, the messenger said:] I am the one and only Lord Vāsudeva, and there is no other. It is I who have descended to this world to show mercy to the living beings. Therefore give up Your false name.

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.

Ask Kṛṣṇa to Remove False Designations

  1. 1

    Pauṇḍraka claimed to be the only Lord Vāsudeva and demanded that Kṛṣṇa give up His supposedly false name.

  2. 2

    Inspired by Goddess Sarasvatī, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains the real import: Kṛṣṇa alone is Vāsudeva, who has descended to show mercy to living beings.

  3. 3

    In this reading, the words ask Kṛṣṇa to remove Pauṇḍraka’s own false designation, like an oyster claiming to be silver. The Supreme Lord will certainly comply.

Key points from the purport
  • Inspired by Goddess Sarasvatī, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī gives the real import of these two verses: “I am not Vāsudeva incarnate, but rather You alone, and no one else, are Vāsudeva.
  • Since You have descended to show mercy to the living beings, please make me give up my false designation, which is like that of an oyster claiming to be silver.”
  • The Supreme Lord will certainly comply with this request.

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 66: Pauṇḍraka, the False Vāsudeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus he challenged Lord Kṛṣṇa with the following message: “Since I alone am the true Personality of Godhead, You should give up Your false claim to this position, as well as my divine symbols, and take shelter of me. If You do not, then prepare for battle.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.66
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vāsudevaḥLord Vāsudeva
  2. avatīrṇaḥdescended to this world
  3. ahamI
  4. ekaḥ evathe only one
  5. nanot
  6. caand
  7. aparaḥanyone else
  8. bhūtānāmto the living beings
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.66

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.66

    In this verse: “give up”

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 false claim about myself would I like Kṛṣṇa to help me give up?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa to help you give up one false claim about yourself.

Live this todayAsk Kṛṣṇa to Remove False DesignationsThis 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 10.66.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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