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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.69.15 10.69.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.69.16

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

सम्पूज्य देवऋषिवर्यमृषि: पुराणो

नारायणो नरसखो विधिनोदितेन ।

वाण्याभिभाष्य मितयामृतमिष्टया तं

प्राह प्रभो भगवते करवाम हे किम् ॥ १६ ॥

sampūjya deva-ṛṣi-varyam ṛṣiḥ purāṇo

nārāyaṇo nara-sakho vidhinoditena

vāṇyābhibhāṣya mitayāmṛta-miṣṭayā taṁ

prāha prabho bhagavate karavāma he kim

Translation

After fully worshiping the great sage of the demigods according to Vedic injunctions, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Himself the original sage — Nārāyaṇa, the friend of Nara — conversed with Nārada, and the Lord’s measured speech was as sweet as nectar. Finally the Lord asked Nārada, “What may We do for you, Our lord and master?”

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Master Honors His Devotee

1
Kṛṣṇa is Himself the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa, who appeared as the friend of Nara. He is the original and supreme spiritual master.
2
Following the Vedic injunction that a kṣatriya should worship the brāhmaṇas, Kṛṣṇa happily worshiped His pure devotee Nārada Muni.
3
The Lord spoke to Nārada in measured words as sweet as nectar. He then asked what He could do for the sage.

Key points from the purport

In this verse the words nārāyaṇo nara-sakhaḥ indicate that Kṛṣṇa is Himself the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa, who appeared as the friend of the sage Nara.
In other words, Lord Kṛṣṇa is ṛṣiḥ purāṇaḥ, the original and supreme spiritual master.
Nevertheless, following the Vedic injunctions (vidhinoditena) that a kṣatriya should worship the brāhmaṇas, Lord Kṛṣṇa happily worshiped His pure devotee Nārada Muni.

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

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As soon as Lord Kṛṣṇa noticed Nārada, He got up from His bed, offered obeisances to the sage and seated him on His own seat. Then the Lord bathed Nārada’s feet and sprinkled the water on His own head.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.69

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

sampūjyafully worshiping
devaamong the demigods
ṛṣithe sage
varyamgreatest
ṛṣiḥthe sage
purāṇaḥprimeval
nārāyaṇaḥLord Nārāyaṇa
nara-sakhaḥthe friend of Nara

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
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.69
In this verse: “worshiping”, “devotee”, “worship”
Sakhya · Sacred friendship
The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.69
In this verse: “friend”
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.69
In this verse: “sweet”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can your words express both respect and a genuine willingness to serve?

Practice

Ask a devotee, gently and sincerely, whether there is one small thing you can do for them.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Master Honors His DevoteeThis 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 10.69.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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