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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.14.5210.14.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.14.53

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.14.50inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देहोऽपि ममताभाक् चेत्तर्ह्यसौ नात्मवत् प्रिय: ।

यज्जीर्यत्यपि देहेऽस्मिन् जीविताशा बलीयसी ॥ ५३ ॥

deho ’pi mamatā-bhāk cet

tarhy asau nātma-vat priyaḥ

yaj jīryaty api dehe ’smin

jīvitāśā balīyasī

Translation

If a person comes to the stage of considering the body “mine” instead of “me,” he will certainly not consider the body as dear as his own self. After all, even as the body is growing old and useless, one’s desire to continue living remains strong.

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.

My Body Is Not My Self

  1. 1

    A more discriminating person thinks, “This is my body,” rather than “I am this body.” This distinction begins an understanding of the self beyond the body.

  2. 2

    Even when the body grows old and useless, the desire to live remains strong. This indicates that the self is dearer than the body.

  3. 3

    This discussion prepares the explanation of why the cows and cowherd ladies of Vṛndāvana held Kṛṣṇa dearer than their own selves and offspring.

Key points from the purport
  • An ordinary, foolish person thinks, “I am this body.”
  • A more discriminating, intelligent person thinks, “This is my body.”
  • As the body of an intelligent person becomes old and useless, he strongly desires to live, even when he knows that his body cannot live much longer.

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:

Laughing at the words of the cowherd boys, Lord Kṛṣṇa began taking His meal in their company. While eating, Kṛṣṇa pointed out to His young friends the skin of the python, and the boys thought, “Kṛṣṇa has just now killed this terrible snake.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dehaḥthe body
  2. apialso
  3. mamatāof possessiveness
  4. bhākthe focus
  5. cetif
  6. tarhithen
  7. asauthat body
  8. nanot
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does saying “my body” rather than “I am this body” change my understanding of myself?

Practice

Pause for a minute and reflect on the distinction between “my body” and “my self.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMy Body Is Not My SelfThis 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 10.14.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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