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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.33

Who is speaking and story frame

मावमंस्था मम ब्रह्मन् वीर्यं त्र्यम्बकतोषणम् ।

मृत्युं विजित्य प्रधने आनेष्ये ते प्रजा: प्रभो ॥ ३३ ॥

māvamaṁsthā mama brahman

vīryaṁ tryambaka-toṣaṇam

mṛtyuṁ vijitya pradhane

āneṣye te prajāḥ prabho

Translation

Do not minimize my ability, which was good enough to satisfy Lord Śiva, O brāhmaṇa. I will bring back your sons, dear master, even if I have to defeat Death himself in battle.

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.

Arjuna Declares His Confidence in Battle

  1. 1

    Arjuna asks the brāhmaṇa not to minimize his ability.

  2. 2

    He recalls that his prowess was sufficient to satisfy Lord Śiva.

  3. 3

    Addressing the brāhmaṇa as dear master, he promises to bring back his sons, even if he must defeat Death in battle.

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:

Kindly forgive us, dear master, for not noticing your arrival.” When Bhṛgu went back to the assembly of sages and told them all that had happened, they concluded that Lord Viṣṇu is certainly supreme.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mā avamaṁsthāḥdo not belittle
  2. mamamy
  3. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  4. vīryamprowess
  5. tri-ambakaLord Śiva
  6. toṣaṇamwhich satisfied
  7. mṛtyumdeath personified
  8. vijityadefeating
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 10.89

    In this verse: “death”

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

Does confidence in past success ever lead me to promise more than I can know?

Practice

Before making a difficult commitment today, pause to distinguish your determination from a guaranteed result.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayArjuna Declares His Confidence in BattleThis 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 10.89.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.