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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 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance
10.29.1310.29.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.29.14

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.29.13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नृणां नि:श्रेयसार्थाय व्यक्तिर्भगवतो नृप । अव्ययस्याप्रमेयस्य निर्गुणस्य गुणात्मन: ॥ १४ ॥

nṛṇāṁ niḥśreyasārthāya

vyaktir bhagavato nṛpa

avyayasyāprameyasya

nirguṇasya guṇātmanaḥ

Translation

O King, the Supreme Lord is inexhaustible and immeasurable, and He is untouched by the material modes because He is their controller. His personal appearance in this world is meant for bestowing the highest benefit on humanity.

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.

The Supreme Lord Appears for Our Benefit

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa appears in this world to bestow the highest benefit on humanity. He would not neglect the gopīs, who loved Him more than anyone else did.

  2. 2

    Although the Lord awards Himself to His pure devotees, He remains inexhaustible because He is immeasurable.

  3. 3

    The material modes cannot act upon Kṛṣṇa because they are His own energy and He controls them. Those who intimately associate with Him share His spiritual platform.

Key points from the purport
  • Since Lord Kṛṣṇa descends to benefit mankind in general, why would He neglect innocent young girls who loved Him more than anyone else did?
  • Although the Lord awards Himself to His pure devotees, He is avyaya, inexhaustible, because He is aprameya, immeasurable.
  • In other words, because the modes of nature are His energy, they cannot act upon Him.

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

How it feels

Separation → Transcendental intimacy. The peak of longing reveals the intensity of selfless love.

Chapters 29–33 of Canto 10: The gopīs' yearning, reunion and rasa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

All the gopīs had purely spiritual bodies, but when some of the gopīs’ husbands and other family members stopped the young girls from going, Lord Kṛṣṇa arranged for them to temporarily exhibit material bodies, which they then left at the sides of their husbands. In this way they deceived their relatives and went off to meet Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nṛṇāmfor humanity
  2. niḥśreyasaof the highest benefit
  3. arthāyafor the purpose
  4. vyaktiḥthe personal appearance
  5. bhagavataḥof the Supreme Lord
  6. nṛpaO King
  7. avyayasyaof Him who is inexhaustible
  8. aprameyasyaimmeasurable
  9. nirguṇasyauntouched by material qualities
  10. guṇa-ātmanaḥthe controller of the material modes
3

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 does knowing that Kṛṣṇa appears for humanity’s benefit shape my approach to Him?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly and thank Kṛṣṇa for appearing to benefit humanity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Appears for Our BenefitThis 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 10.29.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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