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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
10.89.3910.89.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.40

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Arjunasince 10.89.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न प्रद्युम्नो नानिरुद्धो न रामो न च केशव: ।

यस्य शेकु: परित्रातुं कोऽन्यस्तदवितेश्वर: ॥ ४० ॥

na pradyumno nāniruddho

na rāmo na ca keśavaḥ

yasya śekuḥ paritrātuṁ

ko ’nyas tad-aviteśvaraḥ

Translation

“When neither Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Rāma nor Keśava can save a person, who else can possibly protect him?

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.

Who Can Truly Give Protection?

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa named Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Rāma and Keśava as those who had not saved the person in question.

  2. 2

    He asked who else could possibly protect someone under those circumstances.

  3. 3

    His question challenged the confidence that any other protector could succeed.

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:

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. And if I fail, I will enter fire to atone for my sin.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. pradyumnaḥPradyumna
  3. nanot
  4. aniruddhaḥAniruddha
  5. nanot
  6. rāmaḥBalarāma
  7. nanot
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protect”, “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

What does the brāhmaṇa’s question invite me to consider about claims of protection?

Practice

Read the brāhmaṇa’s question slowly and reflect on the limits of promises to protect others.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWho Can Truly Give Protection?This 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 10.89.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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