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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 9: Mother Yaśodā Binds Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.9.1710.9.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.9.18

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.9.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit
A turning point forMother Yaśodā· Dāmodara-līlā

स्वमातु: स्विन्नगात्राया विस्रस्तकबरस्रज: ।

द‍ृष्ट्वा परिश्रमं कृष्ण: कृपयासीत् स्वबन्धने ॥ १८ ॥

sva-mātuḥ svinna-gātrāyā

visrasta-kabara-srajaḥ

dṛṣṭvā pariśramaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ

kṛpayāsīt sva-bandhane

Translation

Because of mother Yaśodā’s hard labor, her whole body became covered with perspiration, and the flowers and comb were falling from her hair. When child Kṛṣṇa saw His mother thus fatigued, He became merciful to her and agreed to be bound.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Mercifully Agrees to Be Bound

  1. 1

    Mother Yaśodā became covered with perspiration, and flowers and a comb fell from her hair. Seeing her fatigue, Kṛṣṇa became merciful and agreed to be bound.

  2. 2

    The ladies concluded that Kṛṣṇa could not be bound by any material condition. They gave up the idea of binding Him.

  3. 3

    In competition with His devotee, Kṛṣṇa sometimes agrees to be defeated. His internal energy, yoga-māyā, acted, and He accepted mother Yaśodā’s binding.

Key points from the purport
  • When mother Yaśodā and the other ladies finally saw that Kṛṣṇa, although decorated with many bangles and other jeweled ornaments, could not be bound with all the ropes available in the house, they decided that Kṛṣṇa was so fortunate that He could not be bound by any material condition.
  • Thus they gave up the idea of binding Him.
  • Thus Kṛṣṇa’s internal energy, yoga-māyā, was brought to work, and Kṛṣṇa agreed to be bound by mother Yaśodā.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: Mother Yaśodā Binds Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus she became very tired, and Kṛṣṇa, seeing His affectionate mother so tired, allowed Himself to be bound. Now, being compassionate, He did not show her His unlimited potency.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sva-mātuḥof His own mother (Kṛṣṇa’s mother, Yaśodādevī)
  2. svinna-gātrāyāḥwhen Kṛṣṇa saw His mother perspiring all over because of unnecessary labor
  3. visrastawere falling down
  4. kabarafrom her hair
  5. srajaḥof whom the flowers
  6. dṛṣṭvāby seeing the condition of His mother
  7. pariśramamHe could understand that she was now overworked and feeling fatigued
  8. kṛṣṇaḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.9

    In this verse: “yaśodā’s”, “mother”, “child”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.9

    In this verse: “merciful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.9

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Kṛṣṇa’s response to His tired mother reveal about His mercy?

Practice

Spend a minute remembering Kṛṣṇa’s merciful response to mother Yaśodā’s effort.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Mercifully Agrees to Be BoundThis 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 10.9.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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