SB 12.10.30 — FolioCorpus

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 12.10.30

नैतावता भगवत: स्वमायामयवृत्तिभि: । न दुष्येतानुभावस्तैर्मायिन: कुहकं यथा ॥ ३० ॥

naitāvatā bhagavataḥ

[naitaavataa bhagavatah]

sva-māyā-maya-vṛttibhiḥ

[sva-maayaa-maya-vrittibhih]

na duṣyetānubhāvas tair

[na dushyetaanubhaavas tair]

māyinaḥ kuhakaṁ yathā

[maayinah kuhakam yathaa]

Word-for-word

na — not etāvatā — by such (a show of humility) bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead sva-māyā — of His own illusory energy maya — consisting of vṛttibhiḥ — by the activities na duṣyeta — is not spoiled anubhāvaḥ — the power taiḥ — by them māyinaḥ — of a magician kuhakam — the tricks yathā — just as.

Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)

naitāvatā bhagavataḥ

not

sva-māyā-maya-vṛttibhiḥ

na duṣyetānubhāvas tair

etāvatā

by such (a show of humility)

bhagavataḥ

of the Personality of Godhead

sva-māyā

of His own illusory energy

māyinaḥ kuhakaṁ yathā

maya

consisting of

vṛttibhiḥ

by the activities

na duṣyeta

is not spoiled

anubhāvaḥ

the power

taiḥ

by them

māyinaḥ

of a magician

kuhakam

the tricks

yathā

just as.

This apparent humility is simply a show of mercy. Such behavior of the Supreme Lord and His personal associates, which the Lord effects by His own bewildering potency, does not spoil His power any more than a magician’s powers are diminished by his exhibition of tricks.

Gauḍīya Ācāryas

Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya

Translation

Such behavior of the Supreme Lord, which the Lord produces by his own bewildering potency, does not spoil his power any more than a magician's powers are diminished by his exhibition of tricks. The power of the Lord is not spoiled by his offering respects etc. to devotees which are actions of his māyā, in order to teach the world. His actions are like those of a magician desiring money who performs tricks. The Lord’s powers are not spoiled by praising or offering obeisances. Another version has duṣyati. Though Śiva’s praises were not done by māyā, the sage was embarrassed by being praised. Thus the example is not unsuitable.

Personal Guidance

This humility of the great is itself a show of mercy, effected by the Lord's bewildering potency. Even the saints' humility is a kind of grace, designed to make us comfortable enough to draw near.

Reflection Questions

Whose accessible humility has drawn me close enough to learn?
How might I be that accessible to someone learning from me?

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io