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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.74.3

Who is speaking and story frame

स भवानरविन्दाक्षो दीनानामीशमानिनाम् ।

धत्तेऽनुशासनं भूमंस्तदत्यन्तविडम्बनम् ॥ ३ ॥

sa bhavān aravindākṣo

dīnānām īśa-māninām

dhatte ’nuśāsanaṁ bhūmaṁs

tad atyanta-viḍambanam

Translation

That You, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, accept the orders of wretched fools who presume themselves rulers is a great pretense on Your part, O all-pervading one.

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 Humble Role Reveals His Mercy

  1. 1

    Yudhiṣṭhira admits that rulers can become proud of their paltry positions while remaining poor in heart.

  2. 2

    Although they deserve punishment, Kṛṣṇa kindly and mercifully accepts their orders and carries them out.

  3. 3

    The unlimited Supreme Lord plays the part of an ordinary human like a dramatic artist. His apparent obedience does not make Him an ordinary person.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “[Yudhiṣṭhira said,] ‘O Kṛṣṇa, You are unlimited, and although we sometimes think of ourselves as royal kings and rulers of the world and become puffed up over our paltry positions, we are very poor in heart.
  • Actually, we are fit to be punished by You, but the wonder is that instead of punishing us, You so kindly and mercifully accept our orders and carry them out properly.
  • Others are very surprised that Your Lordship can play the part of an ordinary human, but we can understand that You are performing these activities just like a dramatic artist.’”

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 74: The Deliverance of Śiśupāla at the Rājasūya Sacrifice

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Sahadeva spoke up: “Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, is indeed the most exalted person, for He Himself comprises all the deities worshiped by Vedic sacrifice. In His role as the Supersoul in the heart, He arranges for everyone in the universe to engage in his particular kind of work, and by His mercy alone human beings can perform various kinds of pious activities and receive the resultant benefits.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.74
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥHe
  2. bhavānYourself
  3. aravinda-akṣaḥthe lotus-eyed Lord
  4. dīnānāmof those who are wretched
  5. īśarulers
  6. mānināmwho presume themselves
  7. dhattetakes upon Himself
  8. anuśāsanamthe order
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.74

    In this verse: “rulers”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.74

    In this verse: “mercifully”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.74

    In this verse: “kindly”

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

Where might pride in my position keep me from recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s mercy?

Practice

Identify one position you feel proud of, and acknowledge its smallness before unlimited Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Humble Role Reveals His MercyThis 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 10.74.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.