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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.14.3810.14.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.14.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 10.14.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अनुजानीहि मां कृष्ण सर्वं त्वं वेत्सि सर्वद‍ृक् ।

त्वमेव जगतां नाथो जगदेतत्तवार्पितम् ॥ ३९ ॥

anujānīhi māṁ kṛṣṇa

sarvaṁ tvaṁ vetsi sarva-dṛk

tvam eva jagatāṁ nātho

jagad etat tavārpitam

Translation

My dear Kṛṣṇa, I now humbly request permission to leave. Actually, You are the knower and seer of all things. Indeed, You are the Lord of all the universes, and yet I offer this one universe unto You.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Choose Service Over Claims of Mastery

  1. 1

    Brahmā sometimes falsely thinks himself the master of his universe, but Kṛṣṇa is the master of all universes. Brahmā asks to be accepted as His surrendered servant.

  2. 2

    As the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, Kṛṣṇa knows and sees everything. Brahmā therefore need not remain in Vṛndāvana to maintain his personal loving contact with Him.

  3. 3

    Feeling unqualified to remain among Vṛndāvana’s intensely loving residents, Brahmā prefers to return to his own devotional service. He chooses loving service rather than trying to enjoy the Lord’s presence.

Key points from the purport
  • In his Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrīla Prabhupāda has quoted Lord Brahmā as follows: “My dear Lord, although You are the Supreme Lord of all creation, I sometimes falsely think that I am the master of this universe.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa knows everything and sees everything, and therefore Lord Brahmā did not need to remain in Vṛndāvana to maintain his personal loving contact with the Lord.
  • Upon seeing the intense love the residents of Vṛndāvana had for Lord Kṛṣṇa, Brahmā felt unqualified to remain there.

The purport'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

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. anujānīhiplease give leave
  2. māmto me
  3. kṛṣṇaO Lord Kṛṣṇa
  4. sarvameverything
  5. tvamYou
  6. vetsiknow
  7. sarva-dṛkall-seeing
  8. tvamYou
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”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “surrendered”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where might I be claiming mastery instead of approaching Kṛṣṇa as His servant?

Practice

Before one responsibility today, pray, “Kṛṣṇa, You are the master; please accept me as Your servant.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChoose Service Over Claims of MasteryThis 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 10.14.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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