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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga
10.64.3010.64.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Yamarājasince 10.64.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृष्ण: परिजनं प्राह भगवान् देवकीसुत: ।

ब्रह्मण्यदेवो धर्मात्मा राजन्याननुशिक्षयन् ॥ ३१ ॥

kṛṣṇaḥ parijanaṁ prāha

bhagavān devakī-sutaḥ

brahmaṇya-devo dharmātmā

rājanyān anuśikṣayan

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead — Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī — who is especially devoted to the brāhmaṇas and who embodies the essence of religion, then spoke to His personal associates and thus instructed the royal class in general.

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 Embodies the Essence of Religion

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    He is especially devoted to the brāhmaṇas and embodies the essence of religion.

  3. 3

    By speaking to His personal associates, Kṛṣṇa also instructs the royal class in general.

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:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then instructed His personal associates, as well as the general mass of people, on the dangers of stealing a brāhmaṇa’s property. Finally, the Lord returned to His palace.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  2. parijanamHis personal associates
  3. prāhaaddressed
  4. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality
  5. devakī-sutaḥson of Devakī
  6. brahmaṇyadevoted to the brāhmaṇas
  7. devaḥGod
  8. dharmaof religion
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 10.64

    In this verse: “religion”

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 ready to receive religious instruction from Kṛṣṇa with attention and respect?

Practice

Reread this translation slowly, remembering who is about to give instruction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Embodies the Essence of ReligionThis 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 10.64.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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