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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.88.1610.88.18-19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.88.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्यादिष्टस्तमसुर उपाधावत् स्वगात्रत: ।

केदार आत्मक्रव्येण जुह्वानोऽग्निमुखं हरम् ॥ १७ ॥

ity ādiṣṭas tam asura

upādhāvat sva-gātrataḥ

kedāra ātma-kravyeṇa

juhvāno gni-mukhaṁ haram

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus advised, the demon proceeded to worship Lord Śiva at Kedāranātha by taking pieces of flesh from his own body and offering them as oblations into the sacred fire, which is Lord Śiva’s mouth.

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's Worship Involved Harm to Himself

  1. 1

    Following the advice he had received, the demon went to worship Lord Śiva at Kedāranātha.

  2. 2

    He offered flesh from his own body as oblations into the sacred fire.

  3. 3

    The sacred fire is described as Lord Śiva's mouth. This account describes Vṛka's actions; it does not ask the reader to imitate them.

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:

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. But Śiva did not appear.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. ādiṣṭaḥinstructed
  3. tamhim (Lord Śiva)
  4. asuraḥthe demon
  5. upādhāvatworshiped
  6. svahis own
  7. gātrataḥfrom the bodily limbs
  8. kedāreat the holy place Kedāranātha
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

  • 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

Can I study this account without mistaking bodily harm for a practice I should follow?

Practice

Write a short reminder in your notes: “Vṛka's harmful actions are described here, not prescribed for me.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVṛka's Worship Involved Harm to HimselfThis 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 10.88.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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