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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.20

Who is speaking and story frame

तमाह चाङ्गालमलं वृणीष्व मे

यथाभिकामं वितरामि ते वरम् ।

प्रीयेय तोयेन नृणां प्रपद्यता-

महो त्वयात्मा भृशमर्द्यते वृथा ॥ २० ॥

tam āha cāṅgālam alaṁ vṛṇīṣva me

yathābhikāmaṁ vitarāmi te varam

prīyeya toyena nṛṇāṁ prapadyatām

aho tvayātmā bhṛśam ardyate vṛthā

Translation

Lord Śiva said to him: My friend, please stop, stop! Ask from me whatever you want, and I will bestow that boon upon you. Alas, you have subjected your body to great torment for no reason, since I am pleased with a simple offering of water from those who approach me for shelter.

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.

A Simple Offering Pleases Lord Śiva

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva addressed Vṛka as his friend and urged him to stop tormenting his body.

  2. 2

    He offered to grant whatever boon Vṛka desired, while declaring that the bodily torment had been needless.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva said that a simple offering of water pleases him when it comes from those who approach him for shelter.

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:

Just at the critical moment, Lord Śiva appeared from the sacrificial fire and stopped him, offering the demon whatever boon he chose. Vṛka said, “May death come to whomever I touch upon the head with my hand.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamto him
  2. āhahe (Lord Śiva) said
  3. caand
  4. aṅgamy dear
  5. alam alamenough, enough
  6. vṛṇīṣvaplease choose a benediction
  7. mefrom me
  8. yathāhowsoever
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “shelter”

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 overlook the value of a simple offering made while seeking shelter?

Practice

Read Lord Śiva's words aloud once, paying attention to his acceptance of a simple offering of water.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Simple Offering Pleases Lord ŚivaThis 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 10.88.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.