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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana
10.38.2110.38.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.38.22

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.38.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न तस्य कश्चिद् दयित: सुहृत्तमो

न चाप्रियो द्वेष्य उपेक्ष्य एव वा ।

तथापि भक्तान् भजते यथा तथा

सुरद्रुमो यद्वदुपाश्रितोऽर्थद: ॥ २२ ॥

na tasya kaścid dayitaḥ suhṛttamo

na cāpriyo dveṣya upekṣya eva vā

tathāpi bhaktān bhajate yathā tathā

sura-drumo yadvad upāśrito ’rtha-daḥ

Translation

The Supreme Lord has no favorite and no dearmost friend, nor does He consider anyone undesirable, despicable or fit to be neglected. All the same, He lovingly reciprocates with His devotees in whatever manner they worship Him, just as the trees of heaven fulfill the desires of whoever approaches them.

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.

The Impartial Lord Reciprocates With Devotion

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord envies no one and is partial to no one. He considers no one hateful or fit to be neglected.

  2. 2

    Yet He lovingly reciprocates with those who serve Him in devotion. Like a heavenly desire tree, He responds to those who approach Him.

  3. 3

    The purport describes Lord Caitanya as hard as a thunderbolt toward those who envied Him and soft as a rose toward those who understood His divine mission.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord says something similar in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.29):
  • But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend and is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.”
  • Similarly, Lord Caitanya was as hard as a thunderbolt for those who envied Him, and as soft as a rose for those who understood His divine mission.

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· 1

The purport of SB 10.38.22 quotesBG 9.29

The Lord says something similar in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.29): na me dveṣyo ’sti na priyaḥ

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

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 38: Akrūra’s Arrival in Vṛndāvana

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although Kaṁsa is an enemy of the Supreme Lord and His devotees, still, it is by Kaṁsa’s grace that I will get this great boon of seeing the Lord. When I first catch sight of His lotus feet, all my sinful reactions will be destroyed at once.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.38
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. na tasyaHe does not have
  2. kaścitany
  3. dayitaḥfavorite
  4. suhṛttamaḥbest friend
  5. na canor
  6. apriyaḥunfavored
  7. dveṣyaḥhated
  8. upekṣyaḥneglected
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “devotees”, “worship”, “devotion”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.38

    In this verse: “favorite”

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 does the Lord’s loving response encourage me to approach Him with devotion?

Practice

Set aside one minute today to offer Kṛṣṇa a sincere prayer as an act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Impartial Lord Reciprocates With DevotionThis 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 10.38.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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