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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
10.88.38-3910.89.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.88.40

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.88.38-39inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

य एवमव्याकृतशक्त्युदन्वत:

परस्य साक्षात् परमात्मनो हरे: ।

गिरित्रमोक्षं कथयेच्छृणोति वा

विमुच्यते संसृतिभिस्तथारिभि: ॥ ४० ॥

ya evam avyākṛta-śakty-udanvataḥ

parasya sākṣāt paramātmano hareḥ

giritra-mokṣaṁ kathayec chṛṇoti vā

vimucyate saṁsṛtibhis tathāribhiḥ

Translation

Lord Hari is the directly manifest Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul and unlimited ocean of inconceivable energies. Anyone who recites or hears this pastime of His saving Lord Śiva will be freed from all enemies and the repetition of birth and death.

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.

Hear of Lord Hari’s Compassionate Deliverance

  1. 1

    Lord Hari is the directly manifest Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul and an unlimited ocean of inconceivable energies.

  2. 2

    Anyone who recites or hears His pastime of saving Lord Śiva will be freed from all enemies and repeated birth and death.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that Lord Keśava’s lotuslike heart filled with sympathy when He saw His devotee in danger. He delivered Lord Śiva from the consequences of his own eloquent words.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus He delivered Lord Śiva from the consequences of his own eloquent words.”
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Eighty-eighth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Śiva Saved from Vṛkāsura.”

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:

Cries of “Victory!” “Obeisances!” and “Well done!” were heard from the sky, and the demigods, sages, celestial forefathers and Gandharvas all congratulated the Supreme Lord by raining down flowers upon Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwhoever
  2. evamthus
  3. avyākṛtainconceivable
  4. śaktiof energies
  5. udanvataḥof the ocean
  6. parasyathe Supreme
  7. sākṣātpersonally manifest
  8. parama-ātmanaḥof the Supersoul
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”, “danger”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “recites”

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

How can remembering Lord Keśava’s sympathy deepen my devotion as I hear this pastime?

Practice

Spend a few minutes today reading this pastime aloud as an act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear of Lord Hari’s Compassionate DeliveranceThis 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 10.88.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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