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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 10: The Deliverance of the Yamala-arjuna Trees
10.10.1010.10.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.10.11

Ūti· What drives us to act

देह: किमन्नदातु: स्वं निषेक्तुर्मातुरेव च ।

मातु: पितुर्वा बलिन: क्रेतुरग्ने: शुनोऽपि वा ॥ ११ ॥

dehaḥ kim anna-dātuḥ svaṁ

niṣektur mātur eva ca

mātuḥ pitur vā balinaḥ

kretur agneḥ śuno ’pi vā

Translation

While alive, does this body belong to its employer, to the self, to the father, the mother, or the mother’s father? Does it belong to the person who takes it away by force, to the slave master who purchases it, or to the sons who burn it in the fire? Or, if the body is not burned, does it belong to the dogs that eat it? Among the many possible claimants, who is the rightful claimant? Not to ascertain this but instead to maintain the body by sinful activities is not good.

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.

Question Your Claim to the Body

  1. 1

    The verse asks whether the body belongs to its employer, the self, its parents, or other possible claimants.

  2. 2

    Even those who take possession of the body or dispose of it after death may appear to have a claim. The verse asks who is its rightful claimant.

  3. 3

    To neglect this inquiry while maintaining the body through sinful activities is not good.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.