1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed

10.23.43-44 10.23.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.45

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The brāhmaṇassince 10.23.40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ननु स्वार्थविमूढानां प्रमत्तानां गृहेहया ।

अहो न: स्मारयामास गोपवाक्यै: सतां गति: ॥ ४५ ॥

nanu svārtha-vimūḍhānāṁ

pramattānāṁ gṛhehayā

aho naḥ smārayām āsa

gopa-vākyaiḥ satāṁ gatiḥ

Translation

Indeed, infatuated as we are with our household affairs, we have deviated completely from the real aim of our life. But now just see how the Lord, through the words of these simple cowherd boys, has reminded us of the ultimate destination of all true transcendentalists.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Life’s Real Aim

1
The brāhmaṇas admitted that absorption in household affairs had drawn them completely away from the real aim of life.
2
Through the words of simple cowherd boys, the Lord reminded them of their true destination.
3
The Lord is the ultimate destination of all true transcendentalists. Their recognition turned their attention back toward Him.

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

Chapter 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

“Since Lord Kṛṣṇa’s every desire is completely fulfilled, His begging for food was simply an act of mercy toward us brāhmaṇas. All the fruits of Vedic sacrifice — and indeed all things on earth — are His opulences, yet out of ignorance we could not appreciate this fact.”

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.23

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nanuindeed
sva-arthaabout their own true benefit
vimūḍhānāmwho were bewildered
pramattānāmwho were intoxicated
gṛha-īhayāwith their household endeavors
ahoah
naḥus
smārayām āsaHe reminded about

Key ideas in this verse

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

Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord
How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10
Sakhya · Sacred friendship
The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.23
In this verse: “cowherd boys”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.23
In this verse: “household”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When do my household concerns make me forget the Lord as life’s ultimate destination?

Practice

Pause before one household task today and remember the Lord as your ultimate destination.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Life’s Real AimThis 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 10.23.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories