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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 47: The Song of the Bee
10.47.2310.47.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.24

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 10.47.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दानव्रततपोहोम जपस्वाध्यायसंयमै: ।

श्रेयोभिर्विविधैश्चान्यै: कृष्णे भक्तिर्हि साध्यते ॥ २४ ॥

dāna-vrata-tapo-homa

japa-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ

śreyobhir vividhaiś cānyaiḥ

kṛṣṇe bhaktir hi sādhyate

Translation

Devotional service unto Lord Kṛṣṇa is attained by charity, strict vows, austerities and fire sacrifices, by japa, study of Vedic texts, observance of regulative principles and, indeed, by the performance of many other auspicious practices.

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.

Auspicious Practices Aim at Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Charity, vows, austerities, sacrifices, japa and study of Vedic texts are means for attaining devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Charity means giving to Lord Viṣṇu and His devotees; vows include Ekādaśī. Austerity means renouncing sense gratification for Kṛṣṇa’s sake.

  3. 3

    Fire sacrifices are dedicated to Viṣṇu, and japa means privately chanting the Lord’s holy names. Study includes reading and reciting Vedic texts.

Key points from the purport
  • Dāna: donations given to Lord Viṣṇu and His devotees.
  • Japa: privately chanting the holy names of the Lord.
  • Svādhyāya: study and recitation of Vedic texts such as the Gopāla-tāpanī Upaniṣad.

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

Heartache → Unbroken remembrance. Love endures and deepens despite visible absence.

Chapters 46–49 of Canto 10: Uddhava, the gopīs and the Song of the Bee. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 47: The Song of the Bee

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Uddhava explained, “While ordinary persons must perform many pious deeds to qualify as servants of Lord Kṛṣṇa, you simple cowherd girls are so extremely fortunate that the Lord has favored you with the very highest degree of pure devotion for Him.” Uddhava then related to them the Lord’s message.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dānaby charity
  2. vratastrict vows
  3. tapaḥausterities
  4. homafire sacrifices
  5. japaprivate chanting of mantras
  6. svādhyāyastudy of Vedic texts
  7. saṁyamaiḥand regulative principles
  8. śreyobhiḥby auspicious practices
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 10.47

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “chanting”, “reciting”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “principles”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you keep devotional service to Kṛṣṇa as the purpose of your spiritual practice?

Practice

Spend a few minutes privately chanting the Lord’s holy names, keeping service to Kṛṣṇa as your goal.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAuspicious Practices Aim at Devotional ServiceThis 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 10.47.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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