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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī
10.61.110.61.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.61.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गृहादनपगं वीक्ष्य राजपुत्र्योऽच्युतं स्थितम् ।

प्रेष्ठं न्यमंसत स्वं स्वं न तत्तत्त्वविद: स्‍त्रिय: ॥ २ ॥

gṛhād anapagaṁ vīkṣya

rāja-putryo ’cyutaṁ sthitam

preṣṭhaṁ nyamaṁsata svaṁ svaṁ

na tat-tattva-vidaḥ striyaḥ

Translation

Because each of these princesses saw that Lord Acyuta never left her palace, each thought herself the Lord’s favorite. These women did not understand the full truth about Him.

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.

Each Queen Felt Most Dear

  1. 1

    Each princess saw that Lord Acyuta never left her palace and considered herself His favorite.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that Kṛṣṇa would leave the palaces only with His wives’ permission.

  3. 3

    Although each queen felt especially dear to Him, these women did not understand the full truth about the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura notes that Lord Kṛṣṇa would leave the palaces only with the permission of His wives, and thus each one considered herself His favorite.

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 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Not understanding the full truth about Śrī Kṛṣṇa, each of His wives thought that since He remained constantly in her palace she must be His favorite wife. They were all entranced by the Lord’s beauty and His loving conversations with them, but they could not agitate His mind with the charming gestures of their eyebrows or by any other means.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gṛhātfrom their palaces
  2. anapagamnever going out
  3. vīkṣyaseeing
  4. rāja-putryaḥdaughters of kings
  5. acyutamLord Kṛṣṇa
  6. sthitamremaining
  7. preṣṭhammost dear
  8. nyamaṁsatathey considered
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “favorite”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.61

    In this verse: “understand”

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

How does this verse invite you to be humble about your understanding of the Lord?

Practice

Pause after reading and acknowledge one thing about Lord Acyuta that you do not fully understand.

Live this todayEach Queen Felt Most DearThis 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 10.61.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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