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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma
10.37.810.37.10-11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.37.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देवर्षिरुपसङ्गम्य भागवतप्रवरो नृप ।

कृष्णमक्लिष्टकर्माणं रहस्येतदभाषत ॥ ९ ॥

devarṣir upasaṅgamya

bhāgavata-pravaro nṛpa

kṛṣṇam akliṣṭa-karmāṇaṁ

rahasy etad abhāṣata

Translation

My dear King, thereafter Lord Kṛṣṇa was approached in a solitary place by the great sage among the demigods, Nārada Muni. That most exalted devotee spoke as follows to the Lord, who effortlessly performs His pastimes.

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.

Nārada Approaches the Lord of Effortless Pastimes

  1. 1

    Nārada Muni, the great sage among the demigods and a most exalted devotee, approached Kṛṣṇa in a solitary place.

  2. 2

    Nārada spoke to the Lord, who performs His pastimes effortlessly.

  3. 3

    After speaking with Kaṁsa, Nārada went to see Kṛṣṇa. The Lord’s Vṛndāvana pastimes were nearly completed, and Nārada wanted to see His pastimes in Mathurā.

Key points from the purport
  • After speaking with Kaṁsa, Nārada went to see Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • The Lord’s Vṛndāvana pastimes were nearly completed, and Nārada wanted to see those He would enact in Mathurā.

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

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Soon thereafter Nārada Muni, the great sage among the demigods, approached Kṛṣṇa and prayed to Him in various ways, glorifying the Lord’s future pastimes. Then Nārada paid his obeisances and departed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.37
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. deva-ṛṣiḥthe sage among the demigods (Nārada Muni)
  2. upasaṅgamyaapproaching
  3. bhāgavataof devotees of the Lord
  4. pravaraḥthe most exalted
  5. nṛpaO King (Parīkṣit)
  6. kṛṣṇamLord Kṛṣṇa
  7. akliṣṭawithout trouble
  8. karmāṇamwhose activities
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 10.37

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.37

    In this verse: “king”

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 Nārada’s eagerness encourage your own interest in Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes?

Practice

Set aside a quiet minute to reread this account with the desire to hear about Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.37's connections

Live this todayNārada Approaches the Lord of Effortless PastimesThis 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 10.37.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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