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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 77: Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva
10.77.2210.77.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.77.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The mansince 10.77.22inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निशम्य विप्रियं कृष्णो मानुषीं प्रकृतिं गत: ।

विमनस्को घृणी स्‍नेहाद् बभाषे प्राकृतो यथा ॥ २३ ॥

niśamya vipriyaṁ kṛṣṇo

mānusīṁ prakṛtiṁ gataḥ

vimanasko ghṛṇī snehād

babhāṣe prākṛto yathā

Translation

When He heard this disturbing news, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was playing the role of a mortal man, showed sorrow and compassion, and out of love for His parents He spoke the following words like an ordinary conditioned soul.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Plays a Human Role

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa was playing the role of a mortal man when He heard the disturbing news.

  2. 2

    He showed sorrow and compassion out of love for His parents.

  3. 3

    He spoke like an ordinary conditioned soul. The translation describes His humanlike role, not an ordinary conditioned identity.

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 77: Lord Kṛṣṇa Slays the Demon Śālva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Upon hearing this, Lord Kṛṣṇa seemed to lament like an ordinary man. Śālva then led forward someone who looked just like Vasudeva, decapitated him and took the head with him into his Saubha airship.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.77
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niśamyahearing
  2. vipriyamdisturbing words
  3. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  4. mānuṣīmhumanlike
  5. prakṛtima nature
  6. gataḥhaving assumed
  7. vimanaskaḥunhappy
  8. ghṛṇīcompassionate
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “compassion”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.77

    In this verse: “love”

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 do you notice about the affection Kṛṣṇa expresses while playing a human role?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly, noticing both Kṛṣṇa’s love for His parents and the words “playing the role.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Plays a Human RoleThis 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 10.77.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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