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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
10.48.2210.48.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Akrūrasince 10.48.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

त्वयोदितोऽयं जगतो हिताय

यदा यदा वेदपथ: पुराण: ।

बाध्येत पाषण्डपथैरसद्भ‍ि-

स्तदा भवान् सत्त्वगुणं बिभर्ति ॥ २३ ॥

tvayodito ’yaṁ jagato hitāya

yadā yadā veda-pathaḥ purāṇaḥ

bādhyeta pāṣaṇḍa-pathair asadbhis

tadā bhavān sattva-guṇaṁ bibharti

Translation

You originally enunciated the ancient religious path of the Vedas for the benefit of the whole universe. Whenever that path becomes obstructed by wicked persons following the path of atheism, You assume one of Your incarnations, which are all in the transcendental mode of goodness.

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.

The Lord Protects the Vedic Path

  1. 1

    The Lord originally taught the ancient religious path of the Vedas for the benefit of the whole universe.

  2. 2

    When wicked persons following atheism obstruct that path, the Lord assumes one of His incarnations.

  3. 3

    His incarnations are all in the transcendental mode of goodness.

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:

Śrī Kṛṣṇa next went to Akrūra’s house with Lord Baladeva and Uddhava. Akrūra honored the three of them by bowing down and presenting them with suitable sitting places.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.48
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvayāby You
  2. uditaḥenunciated
  3. ayamthis
  4. jagataḥof the universe
  5. hitāyafor the benefit
  6. yadā yadāwhenever
  7. vedaof the Vedic scriptures
  8. pathaḥthe path (of religiousness)
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.48

    In this verse: “religious”

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

How does knowing that the Lord protects the Vedic path strengthen your trust in His guidance?

Practice

Read this translation slowly, remembering that the Lord gives religious guidance for everyone's benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Protects the Vedic PathThis 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 10.48.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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