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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed
10.23.5010.23.52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.51

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

स वै न आद्य: पुरुष: स्वमायामोहितात्मनाम् ।

अविज्ञतानुभावानां क्षन्तुमर्हत्यतिक्रमम् ॥ ५१ ॥

sa vai na ādyaḥ puruṣaḥ

sva-māyā-mohitātmanām

avijñatānubhāvānāṁ

kṣantum arhaty atikramam

Translation

We were bewildered by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency and thus could not understand His influence as the original Personality of Godhead. Now we hope He will kindly forgive our offense.

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.

Acknowledge Offense and Seek Forgiveness

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas recognized that they had been bewildered by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency.

  2. 2

    Because of that bewilderment, they had not understood His influence as the original Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    They acknowledged their offense and hoped that Kṛṣṇa would kindly forgive them.

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. saḥHe
  2. vaiindeed
  3. naḥour
  4. ādyaḥthe primeval Lord
  5. puruṣaḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. sva-mayā-mohita-ātmanāmof those whose minds have been bewildered by His illusory potency
  7. avijñātawho did not understand
  8. anubhāvānāmHis influence
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “offense”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “understand”

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 I honestly acknowledge my neglect of Kṛṣṇa and ask His forgiveness?

Practice

Offer a simple prayer asking Kṛṣṇa to forgive one way you have neglected Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAcknowledge Offense and Seek ForgivenessThis 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 10.23.51? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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