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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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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
10.48.3010.48.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.31

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

न ह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवा मृच्छिलामया: ।

ते पुनन्त्युरुकालेन दर्शनादेव साधव: ॥ ३१ ॥

na hy am-mayāni tīrthāni

na devā mṛc-chilā-mayāḥ

te punanty uru-kālena

darśanād eva sādhavaḥ

Translation

No one can deny that there are holy places with sacred rivers, or that the demigods appear in deity forms made of earth and stone. But these purify the soul only after a long time, whereas saintly persons purify just by being seen.

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.

Saintly Persons Purify by Their Presence

  1. 1

    The verse acknowledges holy places with sacred rivers and demigods appearing in deity forms made of earth and stone.

  2. 2

    These purify the soul only after a long time.

  3. 3

    Saintly persons, by contrast, purify just by being seen. Their presence is therefore especially valuable.

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:

Akrūra honored the three of them by bowing down and presenting them with suitable sitting places. Then he worshiped Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, washed Their feet and poured the water on his head.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.48
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. hiindeed
  3. ap-mayānimade of water
  4. tīrthāniholy places
  5. nasuch is not the case
  6. devāḥdeities
  7. mṛtof earth
  8. śilāand stone
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.48

    In this verse: “purify”

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

Do you appreciate opportunities to be in the presence of saintly persons?

Practice

Set aside time today to seek an opportunity to visit a saintly person respectfully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySaintly Persons Purify by Their PresenceThis 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 10.48.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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