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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
10.89.3710.89.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.38

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

तत: कुमार: सञ्जातो विप्रपत्न्‍या रुदन्मुहु: ।

सद्योऽदर्शनमापेदे सशरीरो विहायसा ॥ ३८ ॥

tataḥ kumāraḥ sañjāto

vipra-patnyā rudan muhuḥ

sadyo ’darśanam āpede

sa-śarīro vihāyasā

Translation

The brāhmaṇa’s wife then gave birth, but after the newborn infant had been crying for a short time, he suddenly vanished into the sky in his selfsame body.

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 Child Vanishes Despite the Protection

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa’s wife gives birth to a son.

  2. 2

    The newborn cries for a short time and then suddenly vanishes into the sky.

  3. 3

    He disappears in his selfsame body; the account does not describe a body being left behind.

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:

The same misfortune continued to befall the brāhmaṇa, and each time he would bring his dead infant’s body to the royal court and berate the King. When the ninth son died at birth, Arjuna happened to hear the brāhmaṇa’s complaint, and he said, “My lord, I will protect your progeny.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. kumāraḥthe infant
  3. sañjātaḥborn
  4. viprathe brāhmaṇa’s
  5. patnyāḥof the wife
  6. rudancrying
  7. muhuḥfor some time
  8. sadyaḥsuddenly
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “infant”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “crying”

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 careful preparations do not secure the result I hoped for?

Practice

Reflect briefly on one unexpected outcome, distinguishing what you could prepare for from what you could not control.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Child Vanishes Despite the 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.89.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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