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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 22: Kṛṣṇa Steals the Garments of the Unmarried Gopīs
10.22.3410.22.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.22.35

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.22.31-32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एतावज्जन्मसाफल्यं देहिनामिह देहिषु ।

प्राणैरर्थैर्धिया वाचा श्रेयआचरणं सदा ॥ ३५ ॥

etāvaj janma-sāphalyaṁ

dehinām iha dehiṣu

prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā

śreya-ācaraṇaṁ sadā

Translation

It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.

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.

Use Your Resources for Others' Welfare

  1. 1

    Performing welfare activities for others is the duty of every living being.

  2. 2

    We can use our life and wealth for the benefit of others.

  3. 3

    Our intelligence and words can also be used to help others.

Key points from the purport
  • This translation is quoted from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 9.42).

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 3

The purport of SB 10.22.35 quotesCC Ādi 9.42

This translation is quoted from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 9.42).

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.24.39

As stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.22.35): Even though one may desire to engage in the service of the Lord, without sanction one cannot do so.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.10.10

Similar advice is also given in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.22.35): “It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Attraction and threat → Joy and trust. The pastoral world becomes the setting for protection and love.

Chapters 20–28 of Canto 10: Forest seasons, flute and Govardhana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 22: Kṛṣṇa Steals the Garments of the Unmarried Gopīs

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, said Kṛṣṇa, the perfection of life is to act with one’s vital energy, wealth, intelligence and words for the benefit of all. After the Lord had glorified the trees in this way, the entire company went to the Yamunā, where the cowherd boys let the cows drink the sweet water and also drank some themselves.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvatup to this
  2. janmaof birth
  3. sāphalyamperfection
  4. dehināmof every living being
  5. ihain this world
  6. dehiṣutoward those who are embodied
  7. prāṇaiḥby life
  8. arthaiḥby wealth
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.22

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.22

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.22

    In this verse: “duty”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which could I offer more thoughtfully today: my effort, wealth, intelligence or words?

Practice

Choose one of these resources and use it to give someone concrete help today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayUse Your Resources for Others' WelfareOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 10.22.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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