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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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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
10.88.2210.88.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.23

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.88.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स तद्वरपरीक्षार्थं शम्भोर्मूर्ध्‍नि किलासुर: ।

स्वहस्तं धातुमारेभे सोऽबिभ्यत् स्वकृताच्छिव: ॥ २३ ॥

sa tad-vara-parīkṣārthaṁ

śambhor mūrdhni kilāsuraḥ

sva-hastaṁ dhātum ārebhe

so ’bibhyat sva-kṛtāc chivaḥ

Translation

To test Lord Śambhu’s benediction, the demon then tried to put his hand on the Lord’s head. Thus Śiva was frightened because of what he himself had done.

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.

Consider the Consequences of Giving

  1. 1

    The demon wanted to test Lord Śambhu’s benediction. He tried to do so immediately upon its giver.

  2. 2

    He attempted to place his hand on Lord Śiva’s head.

  3. 3

    Śiva became frightened because of what he himself had done. His own gift had brought danger upon him.

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:

Lord Śiva was obliged to fulfill this request, and at once the wicked Vṛka tried to test the benediction by putting his hand on the lord’s head. Terrified, Śiva fled for his life, running as far as heaven and the outer limits of the mortal world.
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
  2. tathis (Lord Śiva’s)
  3. varathe benediction
  4. parīkṣā-arthamin order to test
  5. śambhoḥof Lord Śiva
  6. mūrdhnion the head
  7. kilaindeed
  8. asuraḥthe demon
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “danger”

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

What consequences might follow from a promise I am considering?

Practice

Review one promise before making it, considering how it could affect both you and the recipient.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConsider the Consequences of GivingThis 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 10.88.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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