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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
10.88.1410.88.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.88.15inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स आह देवं गिरिशमुपाधावाशु सिद्ध्यसि ।

योऽल्पाभ्यां गुणदोषाभ्यामाशु तुष्यति कुप्यति ॥ १५ ॥

sa āha devaṁ giriśam

upādhāvāśu siddhyasi

yo ’lpābhyāṁ guṇa-doṣābhyām

āśu tuṣyati kupyati

Translation

Nārada told him: Worship Lord Śiva and you will soon achieve success. He quickly becomes pleased by seeing his worshiper’s slightest good qualities — and quickly angered by seeing his slightest fault.

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.

Lord Śiva Responds Quickly

  1. 1

    Nārada advised Vṛka to worship Lord Śiva, saying that he would soon achieve success.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva quickly becomes pleased by seeing his worshiper's slightest good qualities.

  3. 3

    He also quickly becomes angered by seeing his worshiper's slightest fault. Nārada's advice describes both sides of this quick response.

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. saḥhe (Nārada)
  2. āhasaid
  3. devamthe lord
  4. giriśamŚiva
  5. upādhāvayou should worship
  6. āśuquickly
  7. siddhyasiyou will become successful
  8. yaḥwho
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “worship”

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

Do I notice the caution in Nārada's words as well as the promise of quick success?

Practice

Read Nārada's advice once more, giving equal attention to what pleases Lord Śiva and what angers him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLord Śiva Responds QuicklyThis 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 10.88.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.