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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 52: Rukmiṇī’s Message to Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.52.3010.52.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.52.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.52.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सन्तुष्टो यर्हि वर्तेत ब्राह्मणो येन केनचित् ।

अहीयमान: स्वद्धर्मात् स ह्यस्याखिलकामधुक् ॥ ३१ ॥

santuṣṭo yarhi varteta

brāhmaṇo yena kenacit

ahīyamānaḥ svad dharmāt

sa hy asyākhila-kāma-dhuk

Translation

When a brāhmaṇa is satisfied with whatever comes his way and does not fall away from his religious duties, those very religious principles become his desire cow, fulfilling all his wishes.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Contentment and Steadiness in Religious Duty

  1. 1

    The Lord describes a brāhmaṇa who is satisfied with whatever comes his way.

  2. 2

    Along with contentment, the brāhmaṇa remains steady in his religious duties.

  3. 3

    For such a brāhmaṇa, those very religious principles become like a desire cow, fulfilling all his wishes.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 52: Rukmiṇī’s Message to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then perhaps in my next life I will be able to obtain You.” After reading Rukmiṇī’s letter to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the brāhmaṇa took his leave so he might carry out his daily religious duties.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.52
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. santuṣṭaḥsatisfied
  2. yarhiwhen
  3. vartetacarries on
  4. brāhmaṇaḥa brāhmaṇa
  5. yena kenacitwith whatever
  6. ahīyamānaḥnot falling short
  7. svātof his own
  8. dharmātreligious duty
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 10.52

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”, “principles”

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 can you practice contentment without neglecting your religious duties?

Practice

Complete one religious duty today without postponing it until your circumstances feel more comfortable.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayContentment and Steadiness in Religious DutyThis 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 10.52.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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