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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 58: Kṛṣṇa Marries Five Princesses
10.58.3610.58.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.58.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.58.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यत्पादपङ्कजरज: शिरसा बिभर्ति

श्रीरब्जज: सगिरिश: सहलोकपालै: ।

लीलातनु: स्वकृतसेतुपरीप्सया य:

कालेऽदधत्स भगवान् मम केन तुष्येत् ॥ ३७ ॥

yat-pāda-paṅkaja-rajaḥ śirasā bibharti

śṛīr abya-jaḥ sa-giriśaḥ saha loka-pālaiḥ

līlā-tanuḥ sva-kṛta-setu-parīpsayā yaḥ

kāle ’dadhat sa bhagavān mama kena tuṣyet

Translation

“Goddess Lakṣmī, Lord Brahma, Lord Śiva and the rulers of the various planets place the dust of His lotus feet on their heads, and to protect the codes of religion, which He has created, He assumes pastime incarnations at various times. How may that Supreme Personality of Godhead become pleased with me?”

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.

Seeking to Please the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Goddess Lakṣmī, Lord Brahma, Lord Śiva and the planetary rulers place the dust of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet on their heads.

  2. 2

    He assumes pastime incarnations at various times to protect the codes of religion He has created.

  3. 3

    Recognizing His supremacy, the princess asks how the Supreme Personality of Godhead may become pleased with her.

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 58: Kṛṣṇa Marries Five Princesses

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then Yudhiṣṭhira told Kṛṣṇa, “Only because we executed many pious acts are we able to see Your lotus feet, which even great yogīs find it impossible to attain.” Honored by King Yudhiṣṭhira, Śrī Kṛṣṇa happily remained as a guest in Indraprastha for several months.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.58
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhose
  2. pādaof the feet
  3. paṅkajalotuslike
  4. rajaḥthe dust
  5. śirasāon her head
  6. bibhartiholds
  7. śṛīḥthe goddess of fortune
  8. abja-jaḥLord Brahmā, who was born from a lotus flower
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.58

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.58

    In this verse: “protect”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.58

    In this verse: “rulers”

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

Do I approach Kṛṣṇa with the desire to please Him?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and pray that it may please Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todaySeeking to Please the Supreme LordThis 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 10.58.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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