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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
10.88.2910.88.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.88.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदि न: श्रवणायालं युष्मद्‌व्यवसितं विभो ।

भण्यतां प्रायश: पुम्भिर्धृतै: स्वार्थान् समीहते ॥ ३० ॥

yadi naḥ śravaṇāyālaṁ

yuṣmad-vyavasitaṁ vibho

bhaṇyatāṁ prāyaśaḥ pumbhir

dhṛtaiḥ svārthān samīhate

Translation

O mighty one, please tell Us what you intend to do, if We are qualified to hear it. Usually one accomplishes his purposes by taking help from others.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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 Humble Invitation to Speak

  1. 1

    The Lord respectfully asked the demon to explain what he intended to do. He added, “if We are qualified to hear it.”

  2. 2

    The Lord observed that people usually accomplish their purposes by taking help from others.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that even an envious demon will not refuse the help of a brāhmaṇa’s potency to gain his ends.

Key points from the purport
  • Even an envious demon will not refuse the help of a brāhmaṇa’s potency to gain his ends.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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 a sweet voice he addressed the demon: “My dear Vṛka, please rest awhile and tell Us what you intend to do.” Vṛka was charmed by the Lord’s words and revealed everything that had happened.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadiif
  2. naḥOur
  3. śravaṇāyafor the hearing
  4. alamsuitable
  5. yuṣmatyour
  6. vyavasitamintention
  7. vibhoO powerful one
  8. bhaṇyatāmplease tell
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

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 ask about another person’s intentions with humility rather than assumption?

Practice

Before offering help today, politely ask the person what they are trying to accomplish.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Humble Invitation to SpeakThis 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 10.88.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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