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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.32.22

Who is speaking and story frame

न पारयेऽहं निरवद्यसंयुजां

स्वसाधुकृत्यं विबुधायुषापि व: ।

या माभजन् दुर्जरगेहश‍ृङ्खला:

संवृश्च्य तद् व: प्रतियातु साधुना ॥ २२ ॥

na pāraye ’haṁ niravadya-saṁyujāṁ

sva-sādhu-kṛtyaṁ vibudhāyuṣāpi vaḥ

yā mābhajan durjara-geha-śṛṅkhalāḥ

saṁvṛścya tad vaḥ pratiyātu sādhunā

Translation

I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation.

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.

Spotless Service Beyond Repayment

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, declares that He cannot repay the gopīs’ spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Their connection with Him is beyond reproach.

  2. 2

    The gopīs worshiped Kṛṣṇa, cutting off domestic ties that are difficult to break. He asks them to let their own glorious deeds be their compensation.

  3. 3

    The gopīs became eternally glorious by their behavior during the Lord’s temporary absence, and their mutual love was wonderfully enhanced. This perfection of Kṛṣṇa and His loving devotees shows the goal of devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • The translation and word meanings for this verse are taken from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s English rendering of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 4.180).
  • In conclusion, the gopīs became eternally glorious by their behavior in the Lord’s temporary absence, and the mutual love between them and the Lord was wonderfully enhanced.
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.

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

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 10.32.22 quotesCC Ādi 4.180

The translation and word meanings for this verse are taken from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s English rendering of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 4.180).

Quoted in the purport ofCC Antya 7.44

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.32.22).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 still felt hurt that Kṛṣṇa had disappeared, so He explained to them why He had done so. He further told them that He had come under the exclusive control of their loving devotion and would ever remain indebted to them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.32
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. pārayeam able to make
  3. ahamI
  4. niravadya-saṁyujāmto those who are completely free from deceit
  5. sva-sādhu-kṛtyamproper compensation
  6. vibudha-āyuṣāwith a lifetime as long as that of the demigods
  7. apialthough
  8. vaḥto you
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.32

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.32

    In this verse: “absence”

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 the gopīs’ spotless service inspire me to serve Kṛṣṇa without seeking repayment?

Practice

Today, offer one small act of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa without asking for anything in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpotless Service Beyond RepaymentThis 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 10.32.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.