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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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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
10.89.2910.89.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.89.30-31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 10.89.30-31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीब्राह्मण उवाच

सङ्कर्षणो वासुदेव: प्रद्युम्नो धन्विनां वर: ।

अनिरुद्धोऽप्रतिरथो न त्रातुं शक्नुवन्ति यत् ॥ ३० ॥

तत् कथं नु भवान् कर्म दुष्करं जगदीश्वरै: ।

त्वं चिकीर्षसि बालिश्यात् तन्न श्रद्दध्महे वयम् ॥ ३१ ॥

śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca

saṅkarṣaṇo vāsudevaḥ

pradyumno dhanvināṁ varaḥ

aniruddho ’prati-ratho

na trātuṁ śaknuvanti yat

tat kathaṁ nu bhavān karma

duṣkaraṁ jagad-īśvaraiḥ

tvaṁ cikīrṣasi bāliśyāt

tan na śraddadhmahe vayam

Translation

The brāhmaṇa said: Neither Saṅkarṣaṇa; Vāsudeva; Pradyumna, the best of bowmen; nor the unequaled warrior Aniruddha could save my sons. Then why do you naively attempt a feat that the almighty Lords of the universe could not perform? We cannot take you seriously.

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.

The Brāhmaṇa Questions an Extraordinary Promise

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa says that Saṅkarṣaṇa, Vāsudeva, Pradyumna and Aniruddha had not saved his sons.

  2. 2

    He describes Pradyumna as the best of bowmen and Aniruddha as an unequaled warrior.

  3. 3

    He questions the attempt to accomplish what the almighty Lords of the universe had not done, and says he cannot take the promise seriously.

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:

As the brāhmaṇa profusely derided Arjuna, the warrior set off for the abode of Yamarāja, the king of death. But Arjuna did not find the brāhmaṇa’s son there, and even after searching throughout the fourteen worlds he could find no trace of the infant.
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-brāhmaṇaḥ uvācathe brāhmaṇa said
  2. saṅkarṣaṇaḥLord Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)
  3. vāsudevaḥLord Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
  4. pradyumnaḥPradyumna
  5. dhanvināmof bowmen
  6. varaḥthe greatest
  7. aniruddhaḥAniruddha
  8. aprati-rathaḥunrivaled as a chariot fighter
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “saved”

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 do I respond when someone doubts a promise I have made?

Practice

Before offering reassurance today, pause and consider whether you can truly deliver what you promise.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Brāhmaṇa Questions an Extraordinary PromiseThis 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 10.89.30-31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.