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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
10.64.3910.64.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.40

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.64.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न मे ब्रह्मधनं भूयाद् यद् गृध्वाल्पायुषो नरा: ।

पराजिताश्‍च्युता राज्याद् भवन्त्युद्वेजिनोऽहय: ॥ ४० ॥

na me brahma-dhanaṁ bhūyād

yad gṛdhvālpāyuṣo narāḥ

parājitāś cyutā rājyād

bhavanty udvejino ’hayaḥ

Translation

I do not desire brāhmaṇas’ wealth. Those who lust after it become short-lived and are defeated. They lose their kingdoms and become snakes, who trouble others.

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.

Reject Greed for Brāhmaṇas’ Wealth

  1. 1

    The Lord declares that He does not desire brāhmaṇas’ wealth. His statement sets an example of rejecting such greed.

  2. 2

    Those who lust after this wealth become short-lived and are defeated. They also lose their kingdoms.

  3. 3

    They become snakes who trouble others. The desired wealth thus leads to loss and a life that causes distress.

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:

After King Nṛga had told his story, he offered prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa and then mounted a celestial airplane, which transported him to heaven. Lord Kṛṣṇa then instructed His personal associates, as well as the general mass of people, on the dangers of stealing a brāhmaṇa’s property.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. meto Me
  3. brahmaof brāhmaṇas
  4. dhanamthe wealth
  5. bhūyātmay it come
  6. yatwhich
  7. gṛdhvādesiring
  8. alpa-āyuṣaḥshort-lived
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 10.64

    In this verse: “lust”, “wealth”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “kingdoms”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.64

    In this verse: “distress”

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 can the Lord’s refusal guide my response to wealth that belongs to others?

Practice

When you notice a desire for another person’s wealth today, pause and choose not to pursue what belongs to them.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReject Greed for Brāhmaṇas’ WealthThis 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 10.64.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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