1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.48.2110.48.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.22

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

देहाद्युपाधेरनिरूपितत्वाद्

भवो न साक्षान्न भिदात्मन: स्यात् ।

अतो न बन्धस्तव नैव मोक्ष:

स्यातां निकामस्त्वयि नोऽविवेक: ॥ २२ ॥

dehādy-upādher anirūpitatvād

bhavo na sākṣān na bhidātmanaḥ syāt

ato na bandhas tava naiva mokṣaḥ

syātām nikāmas tvayi no ’vivekaḥ

Translation

Since it has never been demonstrated that You are covered by material, bodily designations, it must be concluded that for You there is neither birth in a literal sense nor any duality. Therefore You never undergo bondage or liberation, and if You appear to, it is only because of Your desire that we see You in that way, or simply because of our lack of discrimination.

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’s Body Is Always Spiritual

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is never covered by material bodily designations and does not undergo material birth, bondage or liberation. There is no distinction between His body and soul.

  2. 2

    By the Lord’s desire, loving devotees may think of Him as their beloved child, friend or lover without thinking of Him as God. Mother Yaśodā’s concern for His safety arises from extraordinary love.

  3. 3

    A different reason for seeing the Lord as material is ignorance or lack of discrimination. In truth, Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s body is eternal, spiritual, omniscient and the reservoir of all pleasure.

Key points from the purport
  • Here Akrūra states two reasons why the Lord appears to be covered by a material form, or to take birth like a human being.
  • The second reason the Lord may appear material is indicated by the word avivekaḥ: Simply because of ignorance, a lack of discrimination, one may misunderstand the position of the Personality of Godhead.
  • In the Eleventh Canto of the Bhāgavatam, in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s discussion with Śrī Uddhava, the Lord elaborately discusses His transcendental position beyond bondage and liberation.

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:

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. Śrī Kṛṣṇa next went to Akrūra’s house with Lord Baladeva and Uddhava.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.48
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dehaof the body
  2. ādiand so on
  3. upādheḥas material, designative coverings
  4. anirūpitatvātbecause of not being determined
  5. bhavaḥbirth
  6. nanot
  7. sākṣātliteral
  8. nanor
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.48

    In this verse: “yaśodā’s”, “mother”, “child”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.48

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Can I distinguish loving absorption in Kṛṣṇa from mistakenly thinking He has an ordinary material body?

Practice

Before your devotional practice today, recall these qualities of Kṛṣṇa’s body: eternal, spiritual, omniscient and the reservoir of all pleasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Body Is Always SpiritualThis 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 10.48.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories