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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 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrā, and Kṛṣṇa Blesses His Devotees
10.86.810.86.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.86.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

महत्यां देवयात्रायां रथस्थां दुर्गनिर्गताम् ।

जहारानुमत: पित्रो: कृष्णस्य च महारथ: ॥ ९ ॥

mahatyāṁ deva-yātrāyāṁ

ratha-sthāṁ durga-nirgatāṁ

jahārānumataḥ pitroḥ

kṛṣṇasya ca mahā-rathaḥ

Translation

Once, on the occasion of a great temple festival in honor of the Supreme Lord, Subhadrā rode out of the fortresslike palace on a chariot, and at that time the mighty chariot warrior Arjuna took the opportunity to kidnap her. Subhadrā’s parents and Kṛṣṇa had sanctioned this.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Arjuna Acts With Kṛṣṇa’s Sanction

  1. 1

    During a great temple festival honoring the Supreme Lord, Subhadrā rode out of the fortresslike palace on a chariot.

  2. 2

    Arjuna seized the opportunity to kidnap her. Her parents and Kṛṣṇa had sanctioned this.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī identifies the festival as the annual Ratha-yātrā for Lord Viṣṇu, marking His rising from mystic sleep at the end of Cāturmāsya. Subhadrā’s parents were Vasudeva and Devakī.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī identifies this festival as the annual Ratha-yātrā for Lord Viṣṇu on the occasion of His rising from mystic sleep at the end of Cāturmāsya.

The purport'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

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 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrā, and Kṛṣṇa Blesses His Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A few days later, Subhadrā left the palace to participate in a chariot festival. Taking this opportunity, Arjuna abducted Subhadrā and defeated the Yādavas who tried to stop him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mahatyāmimportant
  2. devafor the Supreme Lord
  3. yātrāyāmduring a festival
  4. rathaon a chariot
  5. sthāmriding
  6. durgafrom the fortress
  7. nirgatāmhaving exited
  8. jahārahe seized her
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

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

Why is the explicit mention of Kṛṣṇa’s and her parents’ sanction important to this account?

Practice

Note the festival’s purpose and who had sanctioned Arjuna’s action.

Live this todayArjuna Acts With Kṛṣṇa’s SanctionThis 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 10.86.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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