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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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha
10.72.1010.72.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.11

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.72.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न कश्चिन्मत्परं लोके तेजसा यशसा श्रिया ।

विभूतिभिर्वाभिभवेद् देवोऽपि किमु पार्थिव: ॥ ११ ॥

na kaścin mat-paraṁ loke

tejasā yaśasā śriyā

vibhūtibhir vābhibhaved

devo ’pi kim u pārthivaḥ

Translation

No one in this world, even a demigod — what to speak of an earthly king — can defeat My devotee with his strength, beauty, fame or riches.

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.

Material Power Cannot Surpass Pure Devotion

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa assured Yudhiṣṭhira that he would have no difficulty conquering the worldly kings because he was a pure devotee.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s pure devotees cannot be conquered even by demigods, much less by earthly kings.

  3. 3

    Materialists may be proud of their strength, fame, beauty and opulence. Yet they cannot surpass the Lord’s pure devotees in any of these qualities.

Key points from the purport
  • Here Lord Kṛṣṇa assures King Yudhiṣṭhira that he will have no problem conquering the worldly kings, since the King is a pure devotee and the Lord’s pure devotees can never be conquered, even by the demigods, what to speak of earthly kings.
  • Although materialists are proud of their power, fame, beauty and opulence, they can never surpass the pure devotees of the Lord in any of these categories.

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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa extolled Yudhiṣṭhira’s proposition: “Your scheme is so excellent that it will spread your fame throughout the universe. Indeed, all living beings should desire that this sacrifice be performed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. kaścitany person
  3. matto Me
  4. paramone who is dedicated
  5. lokein this world
  6. tejasāby his strength
  7. yaśasāfame
  8. śriyābeauty
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “king”, “kings”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.72

    In this verse: “materialists”

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

Do I place more confidence in material advantages or in dedication to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

When pride in a material advantage arises today, pause and pray for greater dedication to Kṛṣṇa’s service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Power Cannot Surpass Pure DevotionThis 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 10.72.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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