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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 76: The Battle Between Śālva and the Vṛṣṇis

10.76.31 10.76.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.76.32

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The driversince 10.76.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सारथिरुवाच

धर्मं विजानतायुष्मन् कृतमेतन्मया विभो ।

सूत: कृच्छ्रगतं रक्षेद् रथिनं सारथिं रथी ॥ ३२ ॥

sārathir uvāca

dharmaṁ vijānatāyuṣman

kṛtam etan mayā vibho

sūtaḥ kṛcchra-gataṁ rakṣed

rathinaṁ sārathiṁ rathī

Translation

The driver replied: O long-lived one, I have done this knowing full well my prescribed duty. O my Lord, the chariot driver must protect the master of the chariot when he is in danger, and the master must also protect his driver.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Master and Driver Must Protect Each Other

1
The driver explained that he had acted with full knowledge of his prescribed duty.
2
A chariot driver must protect the master of the chariot when the master is in danger.
3
The duty is mutual: the master must also protect his driver.

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

Chapter 76: The Battle Between Śālva and the Vṛṣṇis

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

But then a follower of Śālva’s named Dyumān struck Pradyumna on the chest with his club, whereupon Pradyumna’s chariot driver, thinking his master seriously injured, carried Him from the battlefield. But Pradyumna quickly regained consciousness and sharply criticized His driver for doing this.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.76

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

sārathiḥ uvācathe driver said
dharmamprescribed duty
vijānatāby one who properly understood
āyuḥ-manO long-lived one
kṛtamdone
etatthis
mayāby me
vibhoO my Lord

Key ideas in this verse

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

Manvantara · The change of Manus
What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.76
In this verse: “duty”
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.76
In this verse: “protect”
Abhaya · Fearlessness
Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.76
In this verse: “danger”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I care for those who help me as attentively as I expect them to care for me?

Practice

Ask someone who supports you whether there is one practical way you can help them today.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaster and Driver Must Protect Each OtherThis 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.

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