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
10.48.710.48.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.48.8

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

सैवं कैवल्यनाथं तं प्राप्य दुष्प्राप्यमीश्वरम् ।

अङ्गरागार्पणेनाहो दुर्भगेदमयाचत ॥ ८ ॥

saivaṁ kaivalya-nāthaṁ taṁ

prāpya duṣprāpyam īśvaram

aṅga-rāgārpaṇenāho

durbhagedam ayācata

Translation

Having thus gotten the hard-to-get Supreme Lord by the simple act of offering Him body ointment, unfortunate Trivakrā submitted to that Lord of freedom the following request.

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.

The Supreme Lord Accepts Simple Service

  1. 1

    By simply offering body ointment, Trivakrā obtained the Supreme Lord, who is difficult to obtain and is the Lord of freedom.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that she asked Him to enjoy only with her. She is called unfortunate because Kṛṣṇa was not prepared to grant this request.

  3. 3

    Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that her request appeared to ordinary eyes to seek material sexual pleasure. In fact, she was already a liberated soul.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Śrīmatī Trivakrā prayed to the Lord, “Please enjoy only with me, and not with any other woman.”
  • Because Kṛṣṇa was not prepared to grant such a benediction, Trivakrā is described here as unfortunate.
  • Śrīdhara Svāmī adds that although to ordinary eyes she seemed to beg for material sex pleasure, in fact she was a liberated soul at this point.

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:

She asked Kṛṣṇa to remain with her for some time, and the considerate Lord promised to fulfill her request in due course. He then returned with Uddhava to His residence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.48
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sashe
  2. evamthus
  3. kaivalyaof liberation
  4. nāthamthe controller
  5. tamHim
  6. prāpyaobtaining
  7. duṣprāpyamunobtainable
  8. īśvaramthe Supreme Lord
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

  • 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

How does this account challenge judging someone’s spiritual position by outward appearances?

Practice

When reading this verse today, pause before judging Trivakrā and recall Śrīdhara Svāmī’s explanation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.48's connections

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Accepts Simple ServiceThis 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 10.48.8? 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