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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
10.47.610.47.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.7

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.47.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नि:स्वं त्यजन्ति गणिका अकल्पं नृपतिं प्रजा: ।

अधीतविद्या आचार्यमृत्विजो दत्तदक्षिणम् ॥ ७ ॥

niḥsvaṁ tyajanti gaṇikā

akalpaṁ nṛpatiṁ prajāḥ

adhīta-vidyā ācāryam

ṛtvijo datta-dakṣiṇam

Translation

Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once they have finished their education, and priests a man who has remunerated them for a sacrifice.

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.

Relationships That End When Benefits End

  1. 1

    The gopīs describe prostitutes abandoning a penniless man and subjects abandoning an incompetent king.

  2. 2

    They also describe students leaving their teacher after completing their education.

  3. 3

    Priests leave a person who has paid them for a sacrifice. These examples show relationships ending when their purpose or benefit has ended.

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:

Thinking “Who is this?” they approached and encircled him. When they realized that Kṛṣṇa must have sent him, they brought him to a secluded place where he could speak to them confidentially.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niḥsvamone without any assets
  2. tyajantiabandon
  3. gaṇikāḥprostitutes
  4. akalpamincompetent
  5. nṛ-patima king
  6. prajaḥcitizens
  7. adhīta-vidyāḥthose who have completed their education
  8. ācāryamthe teacher
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I value people only while they can provide something for me?

Practice

Thank someone who helped you in the past, without requesting another favor.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRelationships That End When Benefits EndThis 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 10.47.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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