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Canto 9 · Liberation · 24 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 9 · Chapter 24: Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
9.24.599.24.61

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 9.24.60

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sun-godsince 9.24.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कर्माण्यपरिमेयाणि मनसापि सुरेश्वरै: । सहसङ्कर्षणश्चक्रे भगवान् मधुसूदन: ॥ ६० ॥

karmāṇy aparimeyāṇi

manasāpi sureśvaraiḥ

saha-saṅkarṣaṇaś cakre

bhagavān madhusūdanaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, with the cooperation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Balarāma, performed activities beyond the mental comprehension of even such personalities as Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. [For instance, Kṛṣṇa arranged the Battle of Kurukṣetra to kill many demons for the relief of the entire world.]

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Activities Surpass Mental Comprehension

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, performed His activities with the cooperation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Balarāma.

  2. 2

    His activities were beyond the mental comprehension even of Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa arranged the Battle of Kurukṣetra to kill many demons. These activities brought relief to the entire world.

How it feels

Historical movement → Anticipation. The narrative narrows toward its divine center.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 9: Lineages leading to the appearance of Kṛṣṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Vasudeva had many other sons by his other wives, and the eighth son to appear from the womb of Devakī was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who delivered the entire world from the burden of demons. This chapter ends by glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead Vāsudeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 9.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karmāṇiactivities
  2. aparimeyāṇiimmeasurable, unlimited
  3. manasā apieven by such plans perceived within the mind
  4. sura-īśvaraiḥby the controllers of the universe like Brahmā and Śiva
  5. saha-saṅkarṣaṇaḥalong with Saṅkarṣaṇa (Baladeva)
  6. cakreperformed
  7. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. madhu-sūdanaḥthe killer of the Madhu demon
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

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 might this verse help you approach Kṛṣṇa’s activities with humility?

Practice

Read this translation slowly, pausing to acknowledge that Kṛṣṇa’s activities exceed your mental comprehension.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Activities Surpass Mental ComprehensionThis 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.

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