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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 10.89.53

Who is speaking and story frame

तस्मिन् महाभोगमनन्तमद्भ‍ुतं

सहस्रमूर्धन्यफणामणिद्युभि: ।

विभ्राजमानं द्विगुणेक्षणोल्बणं

सिताचलाभं शितिकण्ठजिह्वम् ॥ ५३ ॥

tasmin mahā-bhogam anantam adbhutaṁ

sahasra-mūrdhanya-phaṇā-maṇi-dyubhiḥ

vibhrājamānaṁ dvi-guṇekṣaṇolbaṇaṁ

sitācalābhaṁ śiti-kaṇṭha-jihvam

Translation

In that palace was the huge, awe-inspiring serpent Ananta Śeṣa. He shone brilliantly with the radiance emanating from the gems on His thousands of hoods and reflecting from twice as many fearsome eyes. He resembled white Mount Kailāsa, and His necks and tongues were dark blue.

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 Awe-Inspiring Splendor of Ananta Śeṣa

  1. 1

    Within the palace was the huge, awe-inspiring serpent Ananta Śeṣa.

  2. 2

    Gems on His thousands of hoods shone brilliantly. Their radiance reflected from twice as many fearsome eyes.

  3. 3

    His white form resembled Mount Kailāsa. His necks and tongues were dark blue.

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:

There they saw the thousand-hooded serpent Ananta and upon Him lay Mahā-Viṣṇu. The great Lord greeted Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, saying “I brought the brāhmaṇa’s sons here simply because I wanted to see the two of you.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasminthere
  2. mahāhuge
  3. bhogama serpent
  4. anantamLord Ananta
  5. adbhutamamazing
  6. sahasrathousand
  7. mūrdhanyaon His heads
  8. phaṇāupon the hoods
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: “fearsome”

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 does this description invite me to approach Ananta Śeṣa with reverence?

Practice

Read the description of Ananta Śeṣa aloud once, paying attention to each detail.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Awe-Inspiring Splendor of Ananta ŚeṣaThis 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 10.89.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.