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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 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva
10.5.2710.5.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.28

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.5.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पुंसस्त्रिवर्गो विहित: सुहृदो ह्यनुभावित: ।

न तेषु क्लिश्यमानेषु त्रिवर्गोऽर्थाय कल्पते ॥ २८ ॥

puṁsas tri-vargo vihitaḥ

suhṛdo hy anubhāvitaḥ

na teṣu kliśyamāneṣu

tri-vargo ’rthāya kalpate

Translation

When one’s friends and relatives are properly situated, one’s religion, economic development and sense gratification, as described in the Vedic literatures, are beneficial. Otherwise, if one’s friends and relatives are in distress, these three cannot offer any happiness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Happiness Includes the Welfare of Loved Ones

  1. 1

    Religion, economic development and sense gratification are beneficial when one’s friends and relatives are properly situated.

  2. 2

    If friends and relatives are in distress, these three aims cannot offer happiness.

  3. 3

    Vasudeva was unhappy because, although he had a wife and children, he could not properly discharge his duty of maintaining them.

Key points from the purport
  • Vasudeva regretfully informed Nanda Mahārāja that although he had his wife and children, he could not properly discharge his duty of maintaining them and was therefore unhappy.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Nanda Mahārāja consoled Vasudeva by saying that everything happens according to destiny and that one who knows this is not aggrieved. Expecting many disturbances in Gokula, Vasudeva then advised Nanda Mahārāja not to wait in Mathurā, but to return to Vṛndāvana as soon as possible.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puṁsaḥof a person
  2. tri-vargaḥthe three aims of life (religion, economic development and sense gratification)
  3. vihitaḥenjoined according to Vedic ritualistic ceremonies
  4. suhṛdaḥtoward relatives and friends
  5. hiindeed
  6. anubhāvitaḥwhen they are properly in line
  7. nanot
  8. teṣuin them
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “religion”, “duty”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “distress”

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

Am I overlooking a loved one’s distress while pursuing my own comfort or success?

Practice

Ask one friend or relative whether they need help with a practical difficulty today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHappiness Includes the Welfare of Loved OnesThis 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 10.5.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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