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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 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed
10.23.3810.23.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.23.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द‍ृष्ट्वा स्त्रीणां भगवति कृष्णे भक्तिमलौकिकीम् ।

आत्मानं च तया हीनमनुतप्ता व्यगर्हयन् ॥ ३९ ॥

dṛṣṭvā strīṇāṁ bhagavati

kṛṣṇe bhaktim alaukikīm

ātmānaṁ ca tayā hīnam

anutaptā vyagarhayan

Translation

Taking note of their wives’ pure, transcendental devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and seeing their own lack of devotion, the brāhmaṇas felt most sorrowful and began to condemn themselves.

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.

Pure Devotion Reveals What Is Missing

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas recognized their wives’ pure, transcendental devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Seeing this devotion, they became aware of their own lack of devotion.

  3. 3

    They felt deep sorrow and began to condemn themselves.

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 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

On the other hand, these womenfolk, who have not undergone the purificatory processes of the brahminical class or performed any austerity or pious rituals, have through devotion for Kṛṣṇa easily cut off the bondage of death. “Since Lord Kṛṣṇa’s every desire is completely fulfilled, His begging for food was simply an act of mercy toward us brāhmaṇas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭvāobserving
  2. strīṇāmof their wives
  3. bhagavatifor the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. kṛṣṇeŚrī Kṛṣṇa
  5. bhaktimthe pure devotion
  6. alaukikīmtranscendental to this world
  7. ātmānamthemselves
  8. caand
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 10.23

    In this verse: “devotion”

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

Can another person’s devotion help me honestly recognize where my own devotion needs to grow?

Practice

Write down one quality of the wives’ devotion that you want to cultivate.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPure Devotion Reveals What Is MissingThis 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 10.23.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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