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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.60.53

Who is speaking and story frame

मां प्राप्य मानिन्यपवर्गसम्पदं

वाञ्छन्ति ये सम्पद एव तत्पतिम् ।

ते मन्दभागा निरयेऽपि ये नृणां

मात्रात्मकत्वात्निरय: सुसङ्गम: ॥ ५३ ॥

māṁ prāpya māniny apavarga-sampadaṁ

vāñchanti ye sampada eva tat-patim

te manda-bhāgā niraye ’pi ye nṛṇāṁ

mātrātmakatvāt nirayaḥ su-saṅgamaḥ

Translation

O supreme reservoir of love, unfortunate are they who even after obtaining Me, the Lord of both liberation and material riches, hanker only for material treasures. These worldly gains can be found even in hell. Since such persons are obsessed with sense gratification, hell is a fitting place for them.

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.

Our True Interest Is Loving Service

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the source of all pleasure and opulence. He Himself is the supreme pleasure and the most opulent.

  2. 2

    Our real self-interest is to always engage in loving service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, rather than seek only material treasures from Him.

  3. 3

    Sense pleasures are available even in hell and in animal life. Human life offers a golden opportunity to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Key points from the purport
  • It stands to reason that since Lord Kṛṣṇa is the source of all pleasure and all opulence, He Himself is the supreme pleasure and the most opulent.
  • Therefore our real self-interest is to always engage in the loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • As Prahlāda Mahārāja says (Bhāg. 7.5.31), na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum: “The ignorant do not know that their actual self-interest lies in attaining the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu [Kṛṣṇa].”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 10.60.53 quotesSB 7.5.31

As Prahlāda Mahārāja says, na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum: “The ignorant do not know that their actual self-interest lies in attaining the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu [Kṛṣṇa].”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 60: Lord Kṛṣṇa Teases Queen Rukmiṇī.

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Anyone who prays to Me for sense gratification and happiness in family life is simply deluded by My illusory energy, Māyā. Such a person will take a low birth.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.60
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. māmMyself
  2. prāpyaobtaining
  3. māniniO reservoir of love
  4. apavargaof liberation
  5. sampadamthe treasure
  6. vāñchantithey desire
  7. yewho
  8. sampadaḥ(material) treasures
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.60

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.60

    In this verse: “love”

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

Am I seeking Kṛṣṇa’s loving service, or mainly material gains from Him?

Practice

Today, offer one prayer asking for loving service to Kṛṣṇa rather than material gain.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Live this todayOur True Interest Is 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 10.60.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.