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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.48.19 10.48.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.20

Āśraya· The supreme shelter

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Akrūrasince 10.48.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यथा हि भूतेषु चराचरेषु

मह्यादयो योनिषु भान्ति नाना ।

एवं भवान् केवल आत्मयोनि-

ष्वात्मात्मतन्त्रो बहुधा विभाति ॥ २० ॥

yathā hi bhūteṣu carācareṣu

mahy-ādayo yoniṣu bhānti nānā

evaṁ bhavān kevala ātma-yoniṣv

ātmātma-tantro bahudhā vibhāti

Translation

Just as the primary elements — earth and so on — manifest themselves in abundant variety among all the species of mobile and immobile life, so You, the one independent Supreme Soul, appear to be manifold among the variegated objects of Your creation.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

One Supreme Soul Amid Many Forms

1
The primary elements, beginning with earth, appear in many varieties among mobile and immobile forms of life.
2
Akrūra uses this comparison to describe how the one Supreme Soul appears to be manifold among the varied objects of His creation.
3
Despite this variety, the Lord remains one and independent. His appearance throughout creation does not diminish His position as the Supreme Soul.

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

Chapter 48: Kṛṣṇa Pleases His Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He then returned with Uddhava to His residence. Apart from offering sandal paste to Kṛṣṇa, Trivakrā had never performed any pious acts, yet simply on the strength of the piety of this single act she attained the rare personal association of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.48