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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 88: Lord Śiva Saved from Vṛkāsura
10.88.1310.88.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.14

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.88.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वृको नामासुर: पुत्र: शकुने: पथि नारदम् ।

द‍ृष्ट्वाशुतोषं पप्रच्छ देवेषु त्रिषु दुर्मति: ॥ १४ ॥

vṛko nāmāsuraḥ putraḥ

śakuneḥ pathi nāradam

dṛṣṭvāśu-toṣaṁ papraccha

deveṣu triṣu durmatiḥ

Translation

The demon named Vṛka, a son of Śakuni’s, once met Nārada on the road. The wicked fellow asked him which of the three chief gods could be pleased most quickly.

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.

Vṛka Sought the Quickest Result

  1. 1

    The demon Vṛka, a son of Śakuni, met Nārada on the road.

  2. 2

    He asked which of the three chief gods could be pleased most quickly.

  3. 3

    The translation describes Vṛka as wicked. His question centers on obtaining a quick response, rather than on how to serve.

How it feels

Awe → Reverent fulfillment. The canto closes with theological wonder.

Chapters 87–90 of Canto 10: The Vedas praise and the Lord's glories conclude. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 88: Lord Śiva Saved from Vṛkāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In this regard the Vedic literature relates the following account: Once the demon Vṛka asked Nārada which god was most quickly pleased, and Nārada answered that Lord Śiva was. Thus Vṛkāsura went to the holy place of Kedāranātha and began worshiping Lord Śiva by offering pieces of his own flesh as oblations into the fire.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vṛkaḥVṛka
  2. nāmaby name
  3. asuraḥa demon
  4. putraḥa son
  5. śakuneḥof Śakuni
  6. pathion the road
  7. nāradamthe sage Nārada
  8. dṛṣṭvāseeing
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

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

When I approach worship, am I mainly thinking about how quickly I can get what I want?

Practice

Before worship today, take a moment to notice whether your attention is on service or quick results.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVṛka Sought the Quickest ResultThis 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 10.88.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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