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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 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva
10.5.1410.5.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.5.15-16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

नन्दो महामनास्तेभ्यो वासोऽलङ्कारगोधनम् ।

सूतमागधवन्दिभ्यो येऽन्ये विद्योपजीविन: ॥ १५ ॥

तैस्तै: कामैरदीनात्मा यथोचितमपूजयत् ।

विष्णोराराधनार्थाय स्वपुत्रस्योदयाय च ॥ १६ ॥

nando mahā-manās tebhyo

vāso ’laṅkāra-go-dhanam

sūta-māgadha-vandibhyo

ye ’nye vidyopajīvinaḥ

tais taiḥ kāmair adīnātmā

yathocitam apūjayat

viṣṇor ārādhanārthāya

sva-putrasyodayāya ca

Translation

The great-minded Mahārāja Nanda gave clothing, ornaments and cows in charity to the cowherd men in order to please Lord Viṣṇu, and thus he improved the condition of his own son in all respects. He distributed charity to the sūtas, the māgadhas, the vandīs, and men of all other professions, according to their educational qualifications, and satisfied everyone’s desires.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Please Viṣṇu by Honoring His Devotees

  1. 1

    Nanda Mahārāja generously distributed clothing, ornaments and cows to please Lord Viṣṇu and benefit his son. He gave suitable gifts to people of different professions according to their educational qualifications.

  2. 2

    Those he honored were devotees of Nārāyaṇa, not Nārāyaṇa Himself. Satisfying them was an indirect way of satisfying Lord Viṣṇu, who values worship of His devotees above direct worship of Himself.

  3. 3

    The ultimate goal of life, and the purpose of the varṇāśrama system, is to please Lord Viṣṇu. Because He is the root of everything, pleasing Him benefits everyone, including one’s family.

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.