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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 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities
10.70.3610.70.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.70.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीनारद उवाच

द‍ृष्टा मया ते बहुशो दुरत्यया

माया विभो विश्वसृजश्च मायिन: ।

भूतेषु भूमंश्चरत: स्वशक्तिभि-

र्वह्नेरिवच्छन्नरुचो न मेऽद्भ‍ुतम् ॥ ३७ ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

dṛṣṭā māyā te bahuśo duratyayā

māyā vibho viśva-sṛjaś ca māyinaḥ

bhūteṣu bhūmaṁś carataḥ sva-śaktibhir

vahner iva cchanna-ruco na me ’dbhutam

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: I have seen many times the insurmountable power of Your Māyā, O almighty one, by which You bewilder even the creator of the universe, Brahmā. O all-encompassing Lord, it does not surprise me that You disguise Yourself by Your own energies while moving among the created beings, as a fire covers its own light with smoke.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Humility Does Not Limit His Knowledge

  1. 1

    Nārada knew that Lord Kṛṣṇa is all-powerful and all-knowing. His Māyā can bewilder even Brahmā, the creator of the universe.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa disguises Himself by His own energies while moving among created beings, as fire covers its light with smoke.

  3. 3

    Nārada understood that Kṛṣṇa desired to kill Jarāsandha and was beginning to arrange this pastime. Thus the Lord’s humble request for information did not astonish him.

Key points from the purport
  • When Lord Kṛṣṇa questioned Nārada Muni about the intentions of the Pāṇḍavas, the sage replied that the Lord is Himself all-powerful and all-knowing, even to the extent that He can bewilder the creator of the universe, Brahmā.
  • Nārada understood that Lord Kṛṣṇa desired to kill Jarāsandha and was thus beginning to arrange for this pastime by inquiring from Nārada about the Pāṇḍavas’ intentions.
  • Understanding the Lord’s own intention, Nārada was not astonished when Lord Kṛṣṇa humbly requested information from him.

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

War and pride → Justice and protection. The public expression of divine power comes to the foreground.

Chapters 70–79 of Canto 10: Kingship, Jarāsandha and royal challenges. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The sage accepted a seat, and then Lord Kṛṣṇa gently questioned him: “Since you travel all over the universe, please inform Us what the Pāṇḍava brothers are planning to do.” Nārada then praised the Supreme Lord and replied, “King Yudhiṣṭhira desires to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.70
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-nāradaḥ uvācaŚrī Nārada said
  2. dṛṣṭāseen
  3. mayāby me
  4. teYour
  5. bahuśaḥmany times
  6. duratyayāinsurmountable
  7. māyāpower of illusion
  8. vibhoO almighty one
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “māyā”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “humble”

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 Nārada’s understanding help me recognize Kṛṣṇa’s greatness within His humble behavior?

Practice

Pause today to remember that Kṛṣṇa’s request for information does not mean He lacks knowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Humility Does Not Limit His KnowledgeThis 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 10.70.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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