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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 48: Kṛṣṇa Pleases His Devotees
10.48.110.48.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.2

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.48.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

महार्होपस्करैराढ्यं कामोपायोपबृंहितम् ।

मुक्तादामपताकाभिर्वितानशयनासनै: ।

धूपै: सुरभिभिर्दीपै: स्रग्गन्धैरपि मण्डितम् ॥ २ ॥

mahārhopaskarair āḍhyaṁ

kāmopāyopabṛṁhitam

muktā-dāma-patākābhir

vitāna-śayanāsanaiḥ

dhūpaiḥ surabhibhir dīpaiḥ

srag-gandhair api maṇḍitam

Translation

Trivakrā’s home was opulently appointed with expensive furnishings and replete with sensual accoutrements meant to inspire sexual desire. There were banners, rows of strung pearls, canopies, fine beds and sitting places, and also fragrant incense, oil lamps, flower garlands and aromatic sandalwood paste.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Comes to Save

  1. 1

    Trivakrā’s home was richly furnished with pearls, canopies, fine beds, incense and flowers.

  2. 2

    The arrangements were meant to inspire sexual desire. The purport explains that they included explicit pictures and herbal aphrodisiacs.

  3. 3

    Although Trivakrā’s intention was clear, Lord Kṛṣṇa went there to save her from material existence.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, the sensual accoutrements in Trivakrā’s house included explicit sexual pictures.
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that her paraphernalia included herbal aphrodisiacs.
  • It is not hard to guess Trivakrā’s intention, yet Lord Kṛṣṇa went there to save her from material existence.

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 48: Kṛṣṇa Pleases His Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After Uddhava had related to Śrī Kṛṣṇa the news of Vraja, the Lord went to the home of Trivakrā, which was decorated with diverse ornamentation conducive to sexual enjoyment. Trivakrā welcomed Kṛṣṇa with great respect, giving Him a raised seat and, together with her female companions, worshiping Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.48
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mahā-arhaexpensive
  2. upaskaraiḥwith furnishings
  3. āḍhyamrich
  4. kāmaof lust
  5. upāyawith accoutrements
  6. upabṛṁhitamreplete
  7. muktā-dāmawith strings of pearls
  8. patākābhiḥand banners
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.48

    In this verse: “material”

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

What difference do you notice between Trivakrā’s intention and Kṛṣṇa’s purpose?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa to help you seek His service rather than material enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Comes to SaveThis 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 10.48.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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