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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 76: The Battle Between Śālva and the Vṛṣṇis
10.76.310.76.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.76.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.76.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इति मूढ: प्रतिज्ञाय देवं पशुपतिं प्रभुम् ।

आराधयामास नृप: पांशुमुष्टिं सकृद्ग्रसन् ॥ ४ ॥

iti mūḍhaḥ pratijñāya

devaṁ paśu-patiṁ prabhum

ārādhayām āsa nṛpaḥ

pāṁśu-muṣṭiṁ sakṛd grasan

Translation

Having thus made his vow, the foolish King proceeded to worship Lord Paśupati [Śiva] as his deity by eating a handful of dust each day, and nothing more.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Austerity Joined to a Foolish Vow

  1. 1

    After making his vow, Śālva proceeded to worship Lord Paśupati, Śiva, as his deity.

  2. 2

    His austerity was severe: he ate only a handful of dust each day.

  3. 3

    The translation calls him foolish despite this austerity. His worship followed the destructive vow he had made.

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 76: The Battle Between Śālva and the Vṛṣṇis

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Having vowed then that he would rid the earth of all the Yādavas, he began worshiping Lord Śiva each day by eating only a palmful of dust. After a year had passed, Śiva appeared before Śālva and asked him to choose a benediction.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.76
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itiwith these words
  2. mūḍhaḥthe fool
  3. pratijñāyahaving vowed
  4. devamthe lord
  5. paśu-patimŚiva, the protector of animallike men
  6. prabhumhis master
  7. āradhayām āsaworshiped
  8. nṛpaḥthe King
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 10.76

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.76

    In this verse: “worship”

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

Am I examining the purpose of my efforts, rather than only how difficult they are?

Practice

Review one effort you are making today and name its purpose; set aside any intention to harm someone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAusterity Joined to a Foolish VowThis 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 10.76.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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