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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
10.88.310.88.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.4

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.88.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ततो विकारा अभवन् षोडशामीषु कञ्चन ।

उपधावन् विभूतीनां सर्वासामश्न‍ुते गतिम् ॥ ४ ॥

tato vikārā abhavan

ṣoḍaśāmīṣu kañcana

upadhāvan vibhūtīnāṁ

sarvāsām aśnute gatim

Translation

The sixteen elements have evolved as transformations of that false ego. When a devotee of Lord Śiva worships his manifestation in any one of these elements, the devotee obtains all sorts of corresponding enjoyable opulences.

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.

Material Worship Brings Corresponding Opulences

  1. 1

    False ego transforms into sixteen elements: the mind, ten senses and five physical elements.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva appears in a special liṅga form in each of these sixteen substances. These forms are worshiped individually in sacred locations.

  3. 3

    Worship of a particular liṅga brings its corresponding mystic opulences. The ākāśa-liṅga bestows opulences of ether, and the jyotir-liṅga bestows opulences of fire.

Key points from the purport
  • False ego transforms into the mind, ten senses (the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, hands, feet, voice, genitals and anus), and five physical elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether).
  • A devotee of Śiva may worship one of his particular liṅgas to obtain the mystic opulences pertaining to it.
  • Thus Lord Śiva’s ākāśa-liṅga bestows the opulences of ether, his jyotir-liṅga bestows the opulences of fire, and so on.

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:

When a devotee of Lord Śiva worships his manifestation in any of these elements, the devotee obtains all sorts of corresponding enjoyable opulences. But because Lord Śrī Hari is transcendental to the modes of material nature, His devotees also become transcendental.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥfrom that (false ego)
  2. vikārāḥtransformations
  3. abhavanhave manifested
  4. ṣoḍaśasixteen
  5. amīṣuamong these
  6. kañcanaany
  7. upadhāvanpursuing
  8. vibhūtīnāmof material assets
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: “devotee”, “worships”, “worshiped”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “false ego”

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 kinds of material enjoyment do I find myself seeking through worship?

Practice

List one material benefit you hope to gain from worship, and reflect on its connection with material enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Worship Brings Corresponding OpulencesThis 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 10.88.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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