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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons
10.85.55-5610.85.58

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.57

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.85.52inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तं द‍ृष्ट्वा देवकी देवी मृतागमननिर्गमम् ।

मेने सुविस्मिता मायां कृष्णस्य रचितां नृप ॥ ५७ ॥

taṁ dṛṣṭvā devakī devī

mṛtāgamana-nirgamam

mene su-vismitā māyāṁ

kṛṣṇasya racitāṁ nṛpa

Translation

Seeing her sons return from death and then depart again, saintly Devakī was struck with wonder, O King. She concluded that this was all simply an illusion created by Kṛṣṇa.

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.

Devakī Marvels at Kṛṣṇa’s Power

  1. 1

    Saintly Devakī saw her sons return from death and then depart again.

  2. 2

    Their return and departure filled her with wonder.

  3. 3

    She concluded that all this was simply an illusion created by Kṛṣṇa.

How it feels

Humility and separation → Friendship and reunion. The sweetness of relationship outweighs prestige.

Chapters 80–86 of Canto 10: Sudāmā and reunion with the residents of Vraja. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then requested Bali to return Devakī’s dead sons. The Lords received the boys from Bali and returned them to Devakī who felt such a surge of affection for them that milk began spontaneously flowing from her breasts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamthis
  2. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  3. devakīDevakī
  4. devīdivine
  5. mṛtaof the dead (sons)
  6. āgamanathe return
  7. nirgamamand departure
  8. meneshe thought
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “death”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “king”

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 can Devakī’s wonder teach you about approaching Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes?

Practice

Read this translation slowly today, pausing to reflect on Devakī’s wonder at Kṛṣṇa’s power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevakī Marvels at Kṛṣṇa’s PowerThis 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 10.85.57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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