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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 58: Kṛṣṇa Marries Five Princesses
10.58.3910.58.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.58.40

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.58.40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीभगवानुवाच

नरेन्द्र याच्ञा कविभिर्विगर्हिता

राजन्यबन्धोर्निजधर्मवर्तिन: ।

तथापि याचे तव सौहृदेच्छया

कन्यां त्वदीयां न हि शुल्कदा वयम् ॥ ४० ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

narendra yācñā kavibhir vigarhitā

rājanya-bandhor nija-dharma-vartinaḥ

tathāpi yāce tava sauhṛdecchayā

kanyāṁ tvadīyāṁ na hi śulka-dā vayam

Translation

The Supreme Lord said: O ruler of men, learned authorities condemn begging for a person in the royal order who is executing his religious duties. Even so, desiring your friendship, I ask you for your daughter, though We offer no gifts in exchange.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Asks for the King’s Friendship

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord said that learned authorities condemn begging for a person in the royal order who is carrying out his religious duties.

  2. 2

    Even so, He asked the King for his daughter because He desired the King’s friendship.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa clearly stated that He was offering no gifts in exchange.

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:

King Nagnajit duly presented his daughter to the Lord, together with a dowry of abundant gifts, and the Lord took Satyā onto His chariot for the journey back to Dvārakā. Just then the rival kings who had been defeated by the bulls tried to attack Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.58
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. nara-indraO ruler of men
  3. yācñābegging
  4. kavibhiḥby learned authorities
  5. vigarhitācondemned
  6. rājanyaof the royal order
  7. bandhoḥfor a member
  8. nijain his own
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 10.58

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.58

    In this verse: “ruler”, “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.58

    In this verse: “friendship”

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

What stands out to me about the Supreme Lord expressing a desire for the King’s friendship?

Practice

Reread Kṛṣṇa’s request, giving special attention to His words about friendship.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Asks for the King’s FriendshipThis 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 10.58.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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