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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 32: The Reunion
10.32.1710.32.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.32.18

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

भजन्त्यभजतो ये वै करुणा: पितरौ यथा ।

धर्मो निरपवादोऽत्र सौहृदं च सुमध्यमा: ॥ १८ ॥

bhajanty abhajato ye vai

karuṇāḥ pitarau yathā

dharmo nirapavādo ’tra

sauhṛdaṁ ca su-madhyamāḥ

Translation

My dear slender-waisted gopīs, some people are genuinely merciful or, like parents, naturally affectionate. Such persons, who devotedly serve even those who fail to reciprocate with them, are following the true, faultless path of religion, and they are true well-wishers.

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.

True Well-Wishers Serve Without Return

  1. 1

    Some people are genuinely merciful, while others, like parents, are naturally affectionate.

  2. 2

    Such people devotedly serve even those who fail to reciprocate. Their care does not depend on receiving affection back.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa calls them true well-wishers. They follow the true, faultless path of religion.

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 32: The Reunion

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

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. The gopīs still felt hurt that Kṛṣṇa had disappeared, so He explained to them why He had done so.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.32
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhajantithey devotedly serve
  2. abhajataḥwith those who do not reciprocate with them
  3. yethose who
  4. vaiindeed
  5. karuṇāḥmerciful
  6. pitarauparents
  7. yathāas
  8. dharmaḥreligious duty
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.32

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.32

    In this verse: “merciful”

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 can I become a more genuine well-wisher without making kindness depend on a return?

Practice

Offer one small act of help today without expecting thanks or repayment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Well-Wishers Serve Without ReturnThis 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.

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