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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 10.60.54

Who is speaking and story frame

दिष्‍ट्या गृहेश्वर्यसकृन्मयि त्वया

कृतानुवृत्तिर्भवमोचनी खलै: ।

सुदुष्करासौ सुतरां दुराशिषो

ह्यसुंभराया निकृतिं जुष: स्‍त्रिया: ॥ ५४ ॥

diṣṭyā gṛheśvary asakṛn mayi tvayā

kṛtānuvṛttir bhava-mocanī khalaiḥ

su-duṣkarāsau sutarāṁ durāśiṣo

hy asuṁ-bharāyā nikṛtiṁ juṣaḥ striyāḥ

Translation

Fortunately, O mistress of the house, you have always rendered Me faithful devotional service, which liberates one from material existence. This service is very difficult for the envious to perform, especially for a woman whose intentions are wicked, who lives only to gratify her bodily demands, and who indulges in duplicity.

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.

Faithful Service Frees Us

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa praises Rukmiṇī for her constant, faithful devotional service. Such service liberates one from material existence.

  2. 2

    Faithfully serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very difficult for those who are envious, duplicitous, and absorbed in bodily gratification.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that although devotional service easily grants liberation, not everyone takes it up. There is no shortage of people whose envy and deception obstruct faithful service.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī poses the following question: Since devotional service easily awards one liberation, isn’t it possible that everyone will be liberated and the world will no longer exist?
  • The great ācārya answers that there is no such danger, since it is very difficult for envious, duplicitous, sensuous persons to faithfully serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and there is no shortage of such people in the world.

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

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:

Ordinary women with corrupt desires cannot possibly worship Me faithfully, as you have done. At the time of your marriage you showed no interest in any of the royal suitors; rather, you sent a brāhmaṇa messenger for Me.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.60
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. diṣṭyāfortunately
  2. gṛhaof the house
  3. īśvariO mistress
  4. asakṛtconstantly
  5. mayito Me
  6. tvayāby you
  7. kṛtādone
  8. anuvṛttiḥfaithful service
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 10.60

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.60

    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

Where might envy or dishonesty be weakening my willingness to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and perform it sincerely, without trying to impress anyone.

Live this todayFaithful Service Frees UsThis 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 10.60.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.