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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 8: Lord Kṛṣṇa Shows the Universal Form Within His Mouth
10.8.1310.8.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.8.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Garga Munisince 10.8.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रागयं वसुदेवस्य क्‍वचिज्जातस्तवात्मज: ।

वासुदेव इति श्रीमानभिज्ञा: सम्प्रचक्षते ॥ १४ ॥

prāg ayaṁ vasudevasya

kvacij jātas tavātmajaḥ

vāsudeva iti śrīmān

abhijñāḥ sampracakṣate

Translation

For many reasons, this beautiful son of yours sometimes appeared previously as the son of Vasudeva. Therefore, those who are learned sometimes call this child Vāsudeva.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is Also Known as Vāsudeva

  1. 1

    Garga Muni said that this beautiful child had sometimes previously appeared as the son of Vasudeva.

  2. 2

    Those who are learned therefore sometimes call Him Vāsudeva.

  3. 3

    Garga Muni indirectly disclosed that the child was originally born as Vasudeva’s son, although He was acting as Nanda Mahārāja’s child.

Key points from the purport
  • Garga Muni indirectly disclosed, “This child was originally born as the son of Vasudeva, although He is acting as your child.
  • Generally He is your child, but sometimes He is the son of Vasudeva.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Lord Kṛṣṇa Shows the Universal Form Within His Mouth

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa, the son of Yaśodā, previously appeared in many other colors, such as white, red and yellow, and He had now assumed the color black. Because He was sometimes the son of Vasudeva, His name is Vāsudeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prākbefore
  2. ayamthis child
  3. vasudevasyaof Vasudeva
  4. kvacitsometimes
  5. jātaḥwas born
  6. tavayour
  7. ātmajaḥKṛṣṇa, who has taken birth as your child
  8. vāsudevaḥtherefore He may be given the name Vāsudeva
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “child”, “nanda”

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 does the name Vāsudeva help me remember about Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Write down the name Vāsudeva and its connection with Kṛṣṇa’s appearing as the son of Vasudeva.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Also Known as VāsudevaThis 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 10.8.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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