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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 10.33.34

Who is speaking and story frame

यत्पादपङ्कजपरागनिषेवतृप्ता

योगप्रभावविधुताखिलकर्मबन्धा: ।

स्वैरं चरन्ति मुनयोऽपि न नह्यमाना-

स्तस्येच्छयात्तवपुष: कुत एव बन्ध: ॥ ३४ ॥

yat-pāda-paṅkaja-parāga-niṣeva-tṛptā

yoga-prabhāva-vidhutākhila-karma-bandhāḥ

svairaṁ caranti munayo ’pi na nahyamānās

tasyecchayātta-vapuṣaḥ kuta eva bandhaḥ

Translation

Material activities never entangle the devotees of the Supreme Lord, who are fully satisfied by serving the dust of His lotus feet. Nor do material activities entangle those intelligent sages who have freed themselves from the bondage of all fruitive reactions by the power of yoga. So how could there be any question of bondage for the Lord Himself, who assumes His transcendental forms according to His own sweet will?

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.

Service Satisfies; the Lord Remains Free

  1. 1

    Devotees of the Supreme Lord are fully satisfied by serving the dust of His lotus feet. Material activities do not entangle them.

  2. 2

    Intelligent sages who have removed the bondage of fruitive reactions through yoga are also not entangled by material activities.

  3. 3

    There can therefore be no question of bondage for the Lord Himself. He assumes His transcendental forms according to His own sweet will.

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 33: The Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When out of His mercy He exhibits His intimate pastimes to His devotees, these activities are never besmirched by mundane imperfection. Any living being who hears of the spontaneous loving attraction the gopīs felt for Lord Kṛṣṇa will have his desires for material sense gratification destroyed at the root and will develop his natural propensity for serving the Supreme Lord, the spiritual master, and the Lord’s devotees.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.33
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhose
  2. pāda-paṅkajaof the lotus feet
  3. parāgaof the dust
  4. niṣevaby the service
  5. tṛptāḥsatisfied
  6. yoga-prabhāvaby the power of yoga
  7. vidhutawashed away
  8. akhilaall
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “sweet”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “material”

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

What would it mean for me to seek satisfaction in serving the Lord rather than in the results of my activities?

Practice

Set aside a quiet minute today to express your desire to serve the Lord's lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayService Satisfies; the Lord Remains FreeThis 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 10.33.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.