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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 69: Nārada Muni Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Palaces in Dvārakā
10.69.1410.69.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.69.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.69.1-6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्यावनिज्य चरणौ तदप: स्वमूर्ध्ना

बिभ्रज्जगद्गुरुतमोऽपि सतां पतिर्हि ।

ब्रह्मण्यदेव इति यद्गुणनाम युक्तं

तस्यैव यच्चरणशौचमशेषतीर्थम् ॥ १५ ॥

tasyāvanijya caraṇau tad-apaḥ sva-mūrdhnā

bibhraj jagad-gurutamo ’pi satāṁ patir hi

brahmaṇya-deva iti yad guṇa-nāma yuktaṁ

tasyaiva yac-caraṇa-śaucam aśeṣa-tīrtham

Translation

The Lord bathed Nārada’s feet and then put the water on His own head. Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the supreme spiritual authority of the universe and the master of His devotees, it was proper for Him to behave in this way, for His name is Brahmaṇya-deva, “the Lord who favors the bṛāhmaṇas.” Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa honored the sage Nārada by bathing his feet, even though the water that bathes the Lord’s own feet becomes the Ganges, the ultimate holy shrine.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Teaches Respect for Saintly Persons

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa washed Nārada’s feet and placed the water on His own head. This suited His name Brahmaṇya-deva, the Lord who favors the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s own lotus feet are the source of the most holy Ganges. He therefore did not need to purify Himself by washing Nārada’s feet.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa enjoyed the pastimes of a perfect human being. Nārada understood that the Lord acted this way to teach everyone how to respect saintly persons.

Key points from the purport
  • Since Lord Kṛṣṇa’s own lotus feet are the source of the most holy Ganges, the Lord did not have to purify Himself by bathing Nārada Muni’s feet.
  • Rather, as Śrīla Prabhupāda explains: “Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā enjoyed the pastimes of a perfect human being.
  • When, therefore, He washed the feet of the sage Nārada and took the water on His head, Nārada did not object, knowing well that the Lord did so to teach everyone how to respect saintly persons.”

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 69: Nārada Muni Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Palaces in Dvārakā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then the Lord bathed Nārada’s feet and sprinkled the water on His own head. Such was the exemplary behavior of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.69
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyahis
  2. avanijyawashing
  3. caraṇauthe feet
  4. tatthat
  5. apaḥwater
  6. svaHis own
  7. mūrdhnāon the head
  8. bibhratcarrying
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 10.69

    In this verse: “favors”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.69

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.69

    In this verse: “purify”

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 knowing Kṛṣṇa’s purpose change your understanding of His humble action?

Practice

Offer a respectful greeting or a brief message of appreciation to a saintly devotee today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Teaches Respect for Saintly PersonsThis 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 10.69.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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