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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

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

10.48.3 10.48.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.48.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तथोद्धव: साधु तयाभिपूजितो

न्यषीददुर्व्यामभिमृश्य चासनम् ।

कृष्णोऽपि तूर्णं शयनं महाधनं

विवेश लोकाचरितान्यनुव्रत: ॥ ४ ॥

tathoddhavaḥ sādhutayābhipūjito

nyaṣīdad urvyām abhimṛśya cāsanam

kṛṣṇo ’pi tūrṇaṁ śayanaṁ mahā-dhanaṁ

viveśa lokācaritāny anuvrataḥ

Translation

Uddhava also received a seat of honor, since he was a saintly person, but he simply touched it and sat on the floor. Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, imitating the manners of human society, quickly made Himself comfortable on an opulent bed.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Uddhava’s Reverence for His Lord

1
Uddhava received a seat of honor because he was a saintly person.
2
Out of reverence for his Lord, he declined the opulent seat. He touched it with his hand and sat on the floor.
3
Kṛṣṇa imitated the manners of human society and made Himself comfortable on a rich bed in the inner chambers.

Key points from the purport

According to the ācāryas, Uddhava felt reverence for his Lord and thus declined to sit on an opulent seat in His presence; rather, he touched the seat with his hand and sat on the floor.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that Lord Kṛṣṇa made Himself comfortable on a bed located in the inner chambers of Trivakrā’s home.

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

Chapter 48: Kṛṣṇa Pleases His Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

She also offered Uddhava a seat, as befitted his position, but Uddhava simply touched the seat and sat on the floor. Lord Kṛṣṇa then reclined on an opulent bed as the maidservant Trivakrā elaborately washed and decorated herself.

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