1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities
10.70.3810.70.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.39

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.70.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

जीवस्य य: संसरतो विमोक्षणं

न जानतोऽनर्थवहाच्छरीरत: ।

लीलावतारै: स्वयश:प्रदीपकं

प्राज्वालयत्त्वा तमहं प्रपद्ये ॥ ३९ ॥

jīvasya yaḥ saṁsarato vimokṣaṇaṁ

na jānato ’nartha-vahāc charīrataḥ

līlāvatāraiḥ sva-yaśaḥ pradīpakaṁ

prājvālayat tvā tam ahaṁ prapadye

Translation

The living being caught in the cycle of birth and death does not know how he can be delivered from the material body, which brings him so much trouble. But You, the Supreme Lord, descend to this world in various personal forms, and by performing Your pastimes You illumine the soul’s path with the blazing torch of Your fame. Therefore I surrender unto You.

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 Pastimes Illuminate the Path to Shelter

  1. 1

    In the bodily concept of existence, material desires lead the living being to accept one material body after another. Absorbed in this condition, one does not know how to become free.

  2. 2

    Out of causeless mercy, Kṛṣṇa descends to display illuminating and glorious transcendental pastimes.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme, Parabrahman; His humanlike pastimes resemble an actor playing a role different from his own identity. Nārada therefore takes shelter of Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “[Nārada said,] In the bodily concept of existence, everyone is driven by material desires, and thus everyone develops new material bodies one after another in the cycle of birth and death.
  • Being absorbed in such a concept of existence, one does not know how to get out of the encagement of the material body.
  • My dear Lord, You are the Supreme, Parabrahman, and Your pastimes as an ordinary human are another tactical resource, exactly like a play on the stage in which the actor plays parts different from his own identity.”

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:

Nārada then praised the Supreme Lord and replied, “King Yudhiṣṭhira desires to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice. For this he requests Your sanction and presence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.70
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jīvasyafor the conditioned living being
  2. yaḥHe (the Supreme Lord) who
  3. saṁsarataḥ(the conditioned soul) caught in the cycle of birth and death
  4. vimokṣaṇamliberation
  5. na jānataḥnot knowing
  6. anarthaunwanted things
  7. vahātwhich brings
  8. śarīrataḥfrom the material body
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “surrender”, “shelter”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 can remembering Kṛṣṇa’s merciful pastimes help me turn toward His shelter?

Practice

Reread this translation and offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa for shelter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Pastimes Illuminate the Path to ShelterThis 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 10.70.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories