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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 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed
10.23.48-4910.23.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.50

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇassince 10.23.40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्मै नमो भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे ।

यन्मायामोहितधियो भ्रमाम: कर्मवर्त्मसु ॥ ५० ॥

tasmai namo bhagavate

kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭha-medhase

yan-māyā-mohita-dhiyo

bhramāmaḥ karma-vartmasu

Translation

Let us offer our obeisances unto Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His intelligence is never bewildered, whereas we, confused by His power of illusion, are simply wandering about on the paths of fruitive work.

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.

Bow Before Kṛṣṇa’s Unbewildered Intelligence

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas resolved to offer obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa’s intelligence is never bewildered. They acknowledged that their own minds were confused by His power of illusion.

  3. 3

    They described themselves as wandering on the paths of fruitive work—work pursued for its results. Their response was to bow before the Lord.

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:

Having spoken thus, all the brāhmaṇas offered their obeisances to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, hoping to counteract their offense. Nonetheless, out of fear of King Kaṁsa they did not go to see the Lord in person.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmaiunto Him
  2. namaḥobeisances
  3. bhagavateunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. kṛṣṇāyaLord Kṛṣṇa
  5. akuṇṭha-medhasewhose intelligence is never restricted
  6. yat-māyāby whose illusory potency
  7. mohitabewildered
  8. dhiyaḥwhose minds
  9. bhramāmaḥwe are wandering
  10. karma-vartmasuupon the paths of fruitive activity
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “illusion”

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

How much of my effort is spent pursuing results while forgetting Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer obeisances to Kṛṣṇa today, acknowledging His perfect intelligence and your need for guidance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBow Before Kṛṣṇa’s Unbewildered IntelligenceThis 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 10.23.50? Get an answer from the verses themselves.