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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 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga
10.64.2410.64.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.25

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Yamarājasince 10.64.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ब्रह्मण्यस्य वदान्यस्य तव दासस्य केशव ।

स्मृतिर्नाद्यापि विध्वस्ता भवत्सन्दर्शनार्थिन: ॥ २५ ॥

brahmaṇyasya vadānyasya

tava dāsasya keśava

smṛtir nādyāpi vidhvastā

bhavat-sandarśanārthinaḥ

Translation

O Keśava, as Your servant I was devoted to the brāhmaṇas and generous to them, and I always hankered for Your audience. Therefore even till now I have never forgotten [my past life].

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.

Seek Kṛṣṇa, Not Piety Alone

  1. 1

    Nṛga’s devotion to the brāhmaṇas and generosity were only partial, since someone truly pure would not boast about them. He also treated piety as a separate goal.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa had not been Nṛga’s only goal, yet he sincerely desired the Lord’s association. After Nṛga helped a devotee, that devotee blessed him to see the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    A Kṛṣṇa conscious person develops love for Kṛṣṇa, not for pious or impious activities. By the Lord’s grace, a devotee is not subjected to the reactions of fruitive activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī offers the following commentary: “When Nṛga mentioned ‘one who hankered to have Your audience,’ he was referring to an incident concerning a certain great devotee King Nṛga had once met.
  • Being very generous, Nṛga arranged for these things, and the devotee was so satisfied that he blessed the King: ‘My dear King, may you have the audience of the Supreme Lord.’
  • From that time on, Nṛga desired to see the Lord.”

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 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indeed, I gave away countless cows to numerous brāhmaṇas. But on one occasion a cow belonging to a first-class brāhmaṇa wandered into my herd.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahmaṇyasyawho was devoted to the brāhmaṇas
  2. vadānyasyawho was generous
  3. tavaYour
  4. dāsasyaof the servant
  5. keśavaO Kṛṣṇa
  6. smṛtiḥthe memory
  7. nanot
  8. adyatoday
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “grace”, “blessed”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.64

    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 the rewards of being good, or love and service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Before doing one generous act today, pray that it will deepen your desire to serve Kṛṣṇa rather than earn praise or reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

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

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.64's connections

Live this todaySeek Kṛṣṇa, Not Piety AloneThis 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 10.64.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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