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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 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī
10.54.4410.54.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.45

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Balarāmasince 10.54.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

देह आद्यन्तवानेष द्रव्यप्राणगुणात्मक: ।

आत्मन्यविद्यया क्लृप्त: संसारयति देहिनम् ॥ ४५ ॥

deha ādy-antavān eṣa

dravya-prāṇa-guṇātmakaḥ

ātmany avidyayā kḷptaḥ

saṁsārayati dehinam

Translation

This material body, which has a beginning and an end, is composed of the physical elements, the senses and the modes of nature. The body, imposed on the self by material ignorance, causes one to experience the cycle of birth and death.

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.

Beyond Bodily Entanglement Lies Loving Service

  1. 1

    The material body has a beginning and an end. Composed of physical elements, senses and modes of nature, it is imposed on the self by material ignorance.

  2. 2

    Attraction and repulsion toward our own body and other bodies entangle us in material existence. They draw us into temporary relationships, great endeavors and material illusion.

  3. 3

    Beyond this material theater is the meaningful world of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Liberated life is loving devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The material body, composed of various material qualities, elements and so on, attracts and repels the conditioned soul and thus entangles him in material existence.
  • Because of our attraction and repulsion for our own body and other bodies, we establish temporary relationships, dedicate ourselves to great endeavors and sacrifices, concoct imaginary religions, make noble speeches and thoroughly involve ourselves in material illusion.
  • Beyond the somewhat absurd theater of material existence is the real and meaningful world of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the liberated life of pure souls devoted in loving service to the Supreme Lord.

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

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 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He further instructed her about the transcendental position of the jīva soul and how the illusion of happiness and distress is simply a result of ignorance. Accepting Lord Balarāma’s instructions, Rukmiṇī gave up her sorrow.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.54
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dehaḥthe material body
  2. ādibeginning
  3. antaand end
  4. vānhaving
  5. eṣaḥthis
  6. dravyaof the physical elements
  7. prāṇathe senses
  8. guṇaand the primary modes of material nature (goodness, passion and ignorance)
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “material”, “illusion”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.54

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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 bodily attraction or aversion is distracting me from loving service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside one small bodily preference today to make time for an act of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeyond Bodily Entanglement Lies Loving 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 10.54.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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