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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
10.48.2910.48.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.48.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भवद्विधा महाभागा निषेव्या अर्हसत्तमा: ।

श्रेयस्कामैर्नृभिर्नित्यं देवा: स्वार्था न साधव: ॥ ३० ॥

bhavad-vidhā mahā-bhāgā

niṣevyā arha-sattamāḥ

śreyas-kāmair nṛbhir nityaṁ

devāḥ svārthā na sādhavaḥ

Translation

Exalted souls like you are the true objects of service and the most worshipable authorities for those who desire the highest good in life. Demigods are generally concerned with their own interests, but saintly devotees never are.

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.

Serve Devotees for the Highest Good

  1. 1

    Exalted devotees are worthy of service and are the most worshipable authorities for those seeking the highest good in life.

  2. 2

    Demigods may award material benefits, but saintly devotees can award the real perfection of life, Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Saintly devotees are not concerned with their own interests. By praising them, Kṛṣṇa reinforces His respectful mood toward His uncle Akrūra.

Key points from the purport
  • Whereas demigods may award material benefit, saintly devotees of the Lord have the power to award the real perfection of life, Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa reinforces the respectful mood He has adopted here toward His uncle Akrūra.

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. bhavat-vidhāḥlike your good self
  2. mahā-bhāgāḥmost eminent
  3. niṣevyāḥworthy of being served
  4. arhaof those who are worshipable
  5. sat-tamāḥthe most saintly
  6. śreyaḥthe highest good
  7. kāmaiḥwho desire
  8. nṛbhiḥby men
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “worshipable”

  • 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

Are you seeking only material benefit, or the perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Offer one small, practical service to a devotee today, with the desire to grow in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe Devotees for the Highest GoodThis 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 10.48.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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