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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
10.5.310.5.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.4

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.5.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कालेन स्‍नानशौचाभ्यां संस्कारैस्तपसेज्यया ।

शुध्यन्ति दानै: सन्तुष्टय‍ा द्रव्याण्यात्मात्मविद्यया ॥ ४ ॥

kālena snāna-śaucābhyāṁ

saṁskārais tapasejyayā

śudhyanti dānaiḥ santuṣṭyā

dravyāṇy ātmātma-vidyayā

Translation

O King, by the passing of time, land and other material possessions are purified; by bathing, the body is purified; and by being cleansed, unclean things are purified. By purificatory ceremonies, birth is purified; by austerity, the senses are purified; and by worship and charity offered to the brāhmaṇas, material possessions are purified. By satisfaction, the mind is purified; and by self-realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the soul is purified.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purifying Life Through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Vedic instructions explain how to purify the things we use. The purport warns that unpurified things can bring contamination.

  2. 2

    Bathing purifies the body, austerity purifies the senses, and satisfaction purifies the mind. Worship and charity purify material possessions.

  3. 3

    Self-realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, purifies the soul. Even villagers knew these processes and could enjoy material life without contamination.

Key points from the purport
  • These are śāstric injunctions concerning how one can purify everything according to Vedic civilization.
  • Unless purified, anything we use will infect us with contamination.
  • In India five thousand years ago, even in the villages such as that of Nanda Mahārāja, people knew know to purify things, and thus they enjoyed even material life without contamination.

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:

There was great jubilation all over Vṛndāvana due to Kṛṣṇa’s birth. Everyone was overwhelmed with joy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kālenaby due course of time (the land and other material things become purified)
  2. snāna-śaucābhyāmby bathing (the body becomes purified) and by cleansing (unclean things become purified)
  3. saṁskāraiḥby purificatory processes (birth becomes purified)
  4. tapasāby austerity (the senses become purified)
  5. ijyayāby worship (the brāhmaṇas become purified)
  6. śudhyantibecome purified
  7. dānaiḥby charity (wealth becomes purified)
  8. santuṣṭyāby satisfaction (the mind becomes purified)
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “purified”, “cleansed”, “purify”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “worship”

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

Which needs more attention in my life today: cleanliness, satisfaction, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Set aside one minute to remember Kṛṣṇa and cultivate satisfaction rather than dwell on what you lack.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPurifying Life Through Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 10.5.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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