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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 43: Kṛṣṇa Kills the Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa
10.43.3210.43.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.43.33

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Cāṇūrasince 10.43.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रियं राज्ञ: प्रकुर्वत्य: श्रेयो विन्दन्ति वै प्रजा: । मनसा कर्मणा वाचा विपरीतमतोऽन्यथा ॥ ३३ ॥

priyaṁ rājñaḥ prakurvatyaḥ

śreyo vindanti vai prajāḥ

manasā karmaṇā vācā

viparītam ato ’nyathā

Translation

Subjects of the King who try to please him with their thoughts, acts and words are sure to achieve good fortune, but those who fail to do so will suffer the opposite fate.

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.

Pleasing the King in Thought, Word, Deed

  1. 1

    The speaker says that subjects who please the King are sure to achieve good fortune.

  2. 2

    This effort includes thoughts, acts and words, not outward actions alone.

  3. 3

    Those who fail to please the King are said to face the opposite fate. This statement presents the speaker’s appeal to royal authority.

How it feels

Anxiety and conflict → Liberation and joy. Heroic victory is complicated by separation from Vraja.

Chapters 39–45 of Canto 10: Mathurā, Kaṁsa and reunion with parents. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 43: Kṛṣṇa Kills the Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa replied, “Although We are merely nomadic forest folk, We are nonetheless subjects of the King; thus We will not hesitate to please him with an exhibition of wrestling.” As soon as Cāṇūra heard this, he suggested that Kṛṣṇa should wrestle him and that Balarāma should wrestle Muṣṭika.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.43
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. priyamthe pleasure
  2. rājñaḥof the King
  3. prakurvatyaḥexecuting
  4. śreyaḥgood fortune
  5. vindantiacquire
  6. vaiindeed
  7. prajāḥcitizens
  8. manasāwith their minds
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.43

    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 closely do my thoughts, words and actions agree?

Practice

Choose one responsibility today and give it attentive thought, respectful words and careful action.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPleasing the King in Thought, Word, DeedThis 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 10.43.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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