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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 68: The Marriage of Sāmba
10.68.1610.68.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The angry Kurussince 10.68.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सोऽभिवन्द्याम्बिकापुत्रं भीष्मं द्रोणं च बाह्लिकम् ।

दुर्योधनं च विधिवद् राममागतमब्रवीत् ॥ १७ ॥

so ’bhivandyāmbikā-putraṁ

bhīṣmaṁ droṇaṁ ca bāhlikam

duryodhanaṁ ca vidhi-vad

rāmam āgataṁ abravīt

Translation

After he had offered proper respects to the son of Ambikā [Dhṛtarāṣṭra] and to Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlika and Duryodhana, Uddhava informed them that Lord Balarāma had arrived.

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.

Offer Respects Before Delivering a Message

  1. 1

    Uddhava first offered proper respects to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlika and Duryodhana.

  2. 2

    After offering respects, he informed them that Lord Balarāma had arrived.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains why Yudhiṣṭhira and his associates are not mentioned here: the Pāṇḍavas were then staying in Indraprastha.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī points out that there is no reference here to Uddhava offering respect to Yudhiṣṭhira and his associates, since at that time the Pāṇḍavas were staying in Indraprastha.

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 68: The Marriage of Sāmba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The party of Yādavas set up camp in a garden outside the city, and Lord Balarāma sent Uddhava to ascertain King Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s frame of mind. When Uddhava appeared in the Kaurava court and announced Lord Balarāma’s arrival, the Kauravas worshiped Uddhava and went to see the Lord, taking auspicious items to offer Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.68
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe, Uddhava
  2. abhivandyaoffering respects
  3. ambikā-putramto Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā
  4. bhīṣmam droṇam cato Bhīṣma and Droṇa
  5. bāhlikam duryodhanam caand to Bāhlika and Duryodhana
  6. vidhi-vataccording to scriptural injunctions
  7. rāmamLord Balarāma
  8. āgatamhas arrived
  9. abravīthe said
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

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 might offering respect affect the way you deliver an important message?

Practice

Begin one important conversation today with a sincere, respectful greeting.

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 10.68's connections

Live this todayOffer Respects Before Delivering a MessageThis 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 10.68.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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