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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 32: The Reunion
10.32.1810.32.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.32.19

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

भजतोऽपि न वै केचिद् भजन्त्यभजत: कुत: ।

आत्मारामा ह्याप्तकामा अकृतज्ञा गुरुद्रुह: ॥ १९ ॥

bhajato ’pi na vai kecid

bhajanty abhajataḥ kutaḥ

ātmārāmā hy āpta-kāmā

akṛta-jñā guru-druhaḥ

Translation

Then there are those individuals who are spiritually self-satisfied, materially fulfilled or by nature ungrateful or simply envious of superiors. Such persons will not love even those who love them, what to speak of those who are inimical.

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.

Different Reasons for Not Reciprocating

  1. 1

    Some spiritually self-satisfied people do not reciprocate affection because they want to avoid entanglement in mundane dealings.

  2. 2

    Others are materially fulfilled and uninterested in new material opportunities. Still others fail to reciprocate through ingratitude, envy or arrogance.

  3. 3

    These people do not return even the affection of those who love them. Kṛṣṇa patiently explains these different reasons to the gopīs.

Key points from the purport
  • Some people, being spiritually self-satisfied, do not reciprocate others’ affection because they want to avoid entanglement in mundane dealings.
  • Other persons do not reciprocate simply out of envy or arrogance.
  • And still others fail to reciprocate because they are materially satisfied and thus uninterested in new material opportunities.

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 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. bhajataḥwith those who are acting favorably
  2. apieven
  3. nanot
  4. vaicertainly
  5. kecitsome
  6. bhajantireciprocate
  7. abhajataḥwith those who are not acting favorably
  8. kutaḥwhat to speak of
3

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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.32

    In this verse: “love”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.32

    In this verse: “materially”

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

When I fail to return kindness, could ingratitude or arrogance be influencing me?

Practice

Identify one kindness you have left unacknowledged and offer a simple, sincere thank-you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDifferent Reasons for Not ReciprocatingThis 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 10.32.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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