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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.9.23

Who is speaking and story frame

पुरा नारदशापेन वृक्षतां प्रापितौ मदात् ।

नलकूवरमणिग्रीवाविति ख्यातौ श्रियान्वितौ ॥ २३ ॥

purā nārada-śāpena

vṛkṣatāṁ prāpitau madāt

nalakūvara-maṇigrīvāv

iti khyātau śriyānvitau

Translation

In their former birth, these two sons, known as Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, were extremely opulent and fortunate. But because of pride and false prestige, they did not care about anyone, and thus Nārada Muni cursed them to become trees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pride Can Make Us Neglect Others

  1. 1

    In their former birth, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva were extremely opulent and fortunate.

  2. 2

    Because of pride and false prestige, they did not care about anyone. Their good fortune had become a source of arrogance.

  3. 3

    Nārada Muni cursed them to become trees. Their pride thus brought a serious consequence.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Tenth Canto, Ninth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Mother Yaśodā Binds Lord Kṛṣṇa.”

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:

After mother Yaśodā bound Kṛṣṇa and became engaged in other household affairs, Kṛṣṇa observed two yamala-arjuna trees, which were actually Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, two sons of Kuvera who had been condemned by Nārada Muni to become trees. Kṛṣṇa, by His mercy, now began to proceed toward the trees to fulfill the desire of Nārada Muni.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.9
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. purāformerly
  2. nārada-śāpenabeing cursed by Nārada Muni
  3. vṛkṣatāmthe forms of trees
  4. prāpitauobtained
  5. madātbecause of madness
  6. nalakūvaraone of them was Nalakūvara
  7. maṇigrīvauthe other was Maṇigrīva
  8. itithus
  9. khyātauwell known
  10. śriyā anvitauvery opulent
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.9

    In this verse: “pride”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does pride in what I have ever lead me to neglect others?

Practice

Today, give your full attention to someone you might otherwise overlook, and listen with care.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPride Can Make Us Neglect OthersThis 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 10.9.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.