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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 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
10.89.2010.89.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.21

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.89.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

एकदा द्वारवत्यां तु विप्रपत्न्‍या: कुमारक: ।

जातमात्रो भुवं स्पृष्ट्वा ममार किल भारत ॥ २१ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ekadā dvāravatyāṁ tu

vipra-patnyāḥ kumārakaḥ

jāta-mātro bhuvaṁ spṛṣṭvā

mamāra kila bhārata

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, in Dvārakā, a brāhmaṇa’s wife gave birth to a son, but the newborn infant died as soon as he touched the ground, O Bhārata.

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 Pastime Revealing Kṛṣṇa’s Supreme Position

  1. 1

    In Dvārakā, a brāhmaṇa’s wife gave birth to a son. The newborn died as soon as he touched the ground.

  2. 2

    Having glorified Lord Viṣṇu as the Supreme Godhead, Śukadeva Gosvāmī now begins another pastime.

  3. 3

    This pastime identifies Lord Kṛṣṇa as that same Supreme Personality of Godhead. It highlights His unequaled, divine characteristics.

Key points from the purport
  • In this chapter Lord Viṣṇu has been glorified as the Supreme Godhead.
  • Now Śukadeva Gosvāmī is going to identify Lord Kṛṣṇa with that same Personality of Godhead by describing another pastime of His, one which highlighted His unequaled, divine characteristics.

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 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Once in Dvārakā a brāhmaṇa’s wife gave birth to a son who immediately died. The brāhmaṇa took his dead son to the court of King Ugrasena and berated the King: “This duplicitous, greedy enemy of brāhmaṇas has caused my son’s death by failing to execute his duties properly!”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. ekadāonce
  3. dvāravatyāmin Dvārakā
  4. tuand
  5. vipraa brāhmaṇa’s
  6. patnyāḥof the wife
  7. kumārakaḥthe infant son
  8. jātaborn
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “infant”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “glorified”

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 purpose does the purport give for hearing this pastime?

Practice

Before continuing your reading, recall that this pastime is meant to reveal Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Pastime Revealing Kṛṣṇa’s Supreme PositionThis 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 10.89.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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