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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.89.36 10.89.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śrī Arjunasince 10.89.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न्यरुणत् सूतिकागारं शरैर्नानास्‍त्रयोजितै: ।

तिर्यगूर्ध्वमध: पार्थश्चकार शरपञ्जरम् ॥ ३७ ॥

nyaruṇat sūtikāgāraṁ

śarair nānāstra-yojitaiḥ

tiryag ūrdhvam adhaḥ pārthaś

cakāra śara-pañjaram

Translation

Arjuna fenced in the house where the birth was taking place by shooting arrows attached to various missiles. Thus the son of Pṛthā constructed a protective cage of arrows, covering the house upwards, downwards and sideways.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Arjuna Surrounds the House with Protection

1
Arjuna shoots arrows attached to various missiles around the house where the birth is taking place.
2
He forms a protective cage of arrows around the house.
3
His protection covers every direction: upwards, downwards and sideways.

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

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Arjuna learned of this, he went to the maternity house and enveloped it with a protective cage of arrows. Arjuna’s efforts were to no avail, however, for as soon as the child was born and began to cry, it disappeared into the sky.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.89

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nyaruṇathe enveloped
sūtikā-āgāramthe house where the birth was taking place
śaraiḥwith arrows
nānāvarious
astrato missiles
yojitaiḥattached
tiryakhorizontally
ūrdhvamupwards

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
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.89
In this verse: “attached”
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.89
In this verse: “protective”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When entrusted with someone’s care, do I attend carefully to every part of the responsibility?

Practice

Review one protective responsibility you have today and address one detail you might otherwise overlook.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayArjuna Surrounds the House with ProtectionThis 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.

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