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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
10.88.3410.88.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.88.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं भगवतश्चित्रैर्वचोभि: स सुपेशलै: ।

भिन्नधीर्विस्मृत: शीर्ष्णि स्वहस्तं कुमतिर्न्यधात् ॥ ३५ ॥

itthaṁ bhagavataś citrair

vacobhiḥ sa su-peśalaiḥ

bhinna-dhīr vismṛtaḥ śīrṣṇi

sva-hastaṁ kumatir nyadhāt

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus bewildered by the Personality of Godhead’s enchanting, artful words, foolish Vṛka, without realizing what he was doing, placed his hand on his head.

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.

Bewildered by the Lord’s Artful Words

  1. 1

    The Personality of Godhead spoke enchanting, artful words that bewildered Vṛka.

  2. 2

    Foolish Vṛka no longer realized what he was doing.

  3. 3

    In that bewildered state, he placed his hand on his own head.

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:

Bewildered by these words, the foolish demon touched his own head, which immediately shattered and fell to the ground. Cries of “Victory!”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itthamin this manner
  2. bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
  3. citraiḥwonderful
  4. vacobhiḥby the words
  5. saḥhe (Vṛka)
  6. suvery
  7. peśalaiḥclever
  8. bhinnabewildered
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

What does Vṛka’s unthinking action help me notice about acting with a bewildered mind?

Practice

Before one action today, pause and clearly name what you are about to do.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBewildered by the Lord’s Artful WordsThis 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 10.88.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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