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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

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 32: The Reunion

10.32.16 10.32.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.32.17

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.32.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीभगवानुवाच

मिथो भजन्ति ये सख्य: स्वार्थैकान्तोद्यमा हि ते ।

न तत्र सौहृदं धर्म: स्वार्थार्थं तद्धि नान्यथा ॥ १७ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

mitho bhajanti ye sakhyaḥ

svārthaikāntodyamā hi te

na tatra sauhṛdaṁ dharmaḥ

svārthārthaṁ tad dhi nānyathā

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: So-called friends who show affection for each other only to benefit themselves are actually selfish. They have no true friendship, nor are they following the true principles of religion. Indeed, if they did not expect benefit for themselves, they would not reciprocate.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Friendship Has No Selfish Interest

1
The Supreme Personality of Godhead explains that those who exchange affection only for personal benefit are selfish.
2
Such dealings contain neither true friendship nor the true principles of religion. Without an expected benefit, these people would not reciprocate.
3
In pure loving friendship there is no sense of selfish interest. There is only love for one’s friend.

Key points from the purport

The Lord here reminds the gopīs that in pure loving friendship there is no sense of selfish interest but rather only love for one’s friend.

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

Chapter 32: The Reunion

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Next Lord Kṛṣṇa went to the bank of the Yamunā in the company of the cowherd girls, His internal potencies. The gopīs then made a seat for Kṛṣṇa out of their shawls, and after He had sat down they enjoyed with Him by gesturing amorously.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.32

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
mithaḥmutually
bhajantireciprocate
yewho
sakhyaḥfriends
sva-arthafor their own sake
eka-antaexclusively
udyamāḥwhose endeavor

Key ideas in this verse

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

Ūti · The creative impetus
Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.32
In this verse: “religion”, “principles”
Sakhya · Sacred friendship
The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.32
In this verse: “friends”, “friendship”
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.32
In this verse: “love”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Would I still offer affection if I expected no benefit in return?

Practice

Do one thoughtful thing for a friend today without asking for anything in return.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Friendship Has No Selfish InterestThis 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 10.32.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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