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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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings
10.73.1910.73.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.73.20

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.73.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हैहयो नहुषो वेणो रावणो नरकोऽपरे ।

श्रीमदाद् भ्रंशिता: स्थानाद् देवदैत्यनरेश्वरा: ॥ २० ॥

haihayo nahuṣo veṇo

rāvaṇo narako ’pare

śrī-madād bhraṁśitāḥ sthānād

deva-daitya-nareśvarāḥ

Translation

Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Veṇa, Rāvaṇa, Naraka and many other rulers of demigods, men and demons fell from their elevated positions because of infatuation with material opulence.

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 Pride Brings Down Powerful Rulers

  1. 1

    Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Veṇa, Rāvaṇa and Naraka fell from elevated positions because of infatuation with material opulence.

  2. 2

    Nahuṣa became puffed up when he temporarily assumed the post of Indra. His proud treatment of the brāhmaṇas brought about his fall.

  3. 3

    Throughout history, powerful leaders have fallen because they became intoxicated with their so-called opulence.

Key points from the purport
  • As described by Śrīdhara Svāmī, because Haihaya stole the desire cow of Lord Paraśurāma’s father, Jamadagni, Paraśurāma killed him and his impudent sons.
  • Rāvaṇa was a famous ruler of the Rākṣasas, but out of lust he kidnapped Mother Sītā, and thus her husband, Lord Rāmacandra, killed him.
  • Thus throughout history powerful leaders have fallen from their positions because they became intoxicated with their so-called opulence.

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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He instructed them, “Worship Me by performing Vedic sacrifices, and protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion. Fixing your minds on Me, beget progeny, and remain always equipoised in happiness and distress.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.73
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. haihayaḥ nahuṣaḥ veṇaḥHaihaya (Kārtavīrya), Nahuṣa and Veṇa
  2. rāvaṇaḥ narakaḥRāvaṇa and Naraka
  3. apareothers also
  4. śrīdue to opulence
  5. madātbecause of their intoxication
  6. bhraṁśitāḥmade to fall
  7. sthānātfrom their positions
  8. devaof demigods
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.73

    In this verse: “rulers”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.73

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.73

    In this verse: “proud”

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 warning do these rulers’ falls offer about your own pride?

Practice

Identify one advantage you take pride in, and remind yourself that it does not make your position secure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.73's connections

Live this todayMaterial Pride Brings Down Powerful RulersThis 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 10.73.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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