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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.14.4010.14.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.14.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.14.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इत्यभिष्टूय भूमानं त्रि: परिक्रम्य पादयो: ।

नत्वाभीष्टं जगद्धाता स्वधाम प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ४१ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity abhiṣṭūya bhūmānaṁ

triḥ parikramya pādayoḥ

natvābhīṣṭaṁ jagad-dhātā

sva-dhāma pratyapadyata

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus offered his prayers, Brahmā circumambulated his worshipable Lord, the unlimited Personality of Godhead, three times and then bowed down at His lotus feet. The appointed creator of the universe then returned to his own residence.

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.

Attend Faithfully to Your Devotional Service

  1. 1

    After offering prayers, Brahmā circles his worshipable Lord three times and bows at His lotus feet. He then returns to his own residence.

  2. 2

    Although Brahmā desired birth as a blade of grass in or near Vṛndāvana, Kṛṣṇa’s silence indicated that he should return home. He first had to complete his devotional service of universal creation.

  3. 3

    A devotee should always attend carefully to personal devotional service. Executing that service properly is more important than trying to live in the Lord’s abode.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Lord Brahmā had prayed to take birth as a blade of grass in Vṛndāvana or even in the area surrounding Vṛndāvana, Lord Kṛṣṇa, by His silent response to Brahmā’s prayers, indicated that Brahmā should return to his own abode.
  • First Brahmā had to complete his personal devotional service of universal creation; then he could come to Vṛndāvana and get the mercy of the inhabitants there.
  • In other words, a devotee should always be attentive to executing his personal devotional service properly.

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. abhiṣṭūyaoffering praise
  4. bhūmānamto the unlimited Supreme Lord
  5. triḥthree times
  6. parikramyacircumambulating
  7. pādayoḥat His feet
  8. natvābowing down
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: “worshipable”, “devotional service”, “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What service already before me needs more careful attention?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service and complete it attentively today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttend Faithfully to Your Devotional ServiceThis 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 10.14.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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