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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 10.14.30

Who is speaking and story frame

तदस्तु मे नाथ स भूरिभागो

भवेऽत्र वान्यत्र तु वा तिरश्चाम् ।

येनाहमेकोऽपि भवज्जनानां

भूत्वा निषेवे तव पादपल्लवम् ॥ ३० ॥

tad astu me nātha sa bhūri-bhāgo

bhave ’tra vānyatra tu vā tiraścām

yenāham eko ’pi bhavaj-janānāṁ

bhūtvā niṣeve tava pāda-pallavam

Translation

My dear Lord, I therefore pray to be so fortunate that in this life as Lord Brahmā or in another life, wherever I take my birth, I may be counted as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even among the animal species, I can engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is the Greatest Fortune

  1. 1

    Brahmā prays to be counted among the Lord’s devotees, whether in his present life or another birth.

  2. 2

    He is willing to take birth even among animals if he can engage in devotional service.

  3. 3

    His prayer places service to the Lord’s lotus feet above the circumstances of his birth.

How it feels

Peril and pride → Friendship and humility. Divinity is revealed amid intimate childhood play.

Chapters 12–19 of Canto 10: Childhood dangers and Brahmā's amazement. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Finally, Brahmā offered his whole self at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord and, praising Him again and again, circumambulated Him and took his leave. Lord Kṛṣṇa then gathered the animals Brahmā stole and led them to the place on the Yamunā’s bank where the cowherd boys had been taking lunch.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tattherefore
  2. astumay it be
  3. memy
  4. nāthaO master
  5. saḥthat
  6. bhūri-bhāgaḥgreatest good fortune
  7. bhavein the birth
  8. atrathis
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I value the opportunity to serve the Lord more than a favorable position in life?

Practice

Repeat Brahmā’s request in your own words: ask to serve the Lord in your present circumstances.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Is the Greatest FortuneThis 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 10.14.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.