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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.69.2910.69.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.69.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.69.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ध्यायन्तमेकमासीनं पुरुषं प्रकृते: परम् ।

शुश्रूषन्तं गुरून् क्व‍ापि कामैर्भोगै: सपर्यया ॥ ३० ॥

dhyāyantam ekam āsīnaṁ

puruṣaṁ prakṛteḥ param

śuśrūṣantaṁ gurūn kvāpi

kāmair bhogaiḥ saparyayā

Translation

Somewhere He was sitting alone, meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to material nature, and somewhere He was rendering menial service to His elders, offering them desirable things and reverential worship.

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 Meditation by His Own Example

  1. 1

    Authorized scripture recommends meditation as concentrating the mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is Himself the original Viṣṇu. Playing the part of a human being, He taught the meaning of meditation through His personal behavior.

  3. 3

    His meditation indicates the brāhma-muhūrta, the early hours before sunrise. Elsewhere, He rendered menial service to His elders, offering desirable things and reverential worship.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “Meditation, as recommended in authorized scripture, is meant for concentrating one’s mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa is Himself the original Viṣṇu, but because He played the part of a human being, He taught us definitely by His personal behavior what is meant by meditation.”
  • This activity of meditation indicates the brāhma-muhūrta, the early morning hours before sunrise.

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:

Śrī Kṛṣṇa asked Nārada not to be confused by his vision of the Lord’s transcendental opulences, and He described to him the purposes of His appearances in this world. He then honored the sage properly, according to religious principles, and Nārada departed, continuously meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.69
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dhyāyantammeditating
  2. ekamalone
  3. āsīnamsitting
  4. puruṣamon the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. prakṛteḥto material nature
  6. paramtranscendental
  7. śuśrūṣantamrendering menial service
  8. gurūnto His elders
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.69

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

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 that meditation centers on the Supreme Personality of Godhead clarify your practice?

Practice

Sit quietly for one minute today and concentrate your mind on Lord Kṛṣṇa as an act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Teaches Meditation by His Own ExampleThis 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 10.69.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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