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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.69.37

Who is speaking and story frame

अथोवाच हृषीकेशं नारद: प्रहसन्निव ।

योगमायोदयं वीक्ष्य मानुषीमीयुषो गतिम् ॥ ३७ ॥

athovāca hṛṣīkeśaṁ

nāradaḥ prahasann iva

yoga-māyodayaṁ vīkṣya

mānuṣīm īyuṣo gatim

Translation

Having thus seen this display of the Lord’s Yoga-māyā, Nārada mildly laughed and then addressed Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, who was adopting the behavior of a human being.

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.

Wonder Tempered by Reverence

  1. 1

    Nārada saw the display of the Lord’s Yoga-māyā as Lord Hṛṣīkeśa adopted human behavior.

  2. 2

    Knowing that the Lord is omniscient, Nārada could not help laughing when he saw Him investigating His ministers’ thoughts in disguise.

  3. 3

    Remembering the Lord’s supreme position, Nārada somewhat restrained his laughter before addressing Him.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Nārada fully understood the Lord’s omniscience, and thus when he saw the Lord trying to find out the mood of His ministers, moving about in disguise, Nārada could not help laughing.
  • But remembering the Lord’s supreme position, he somewhat constrained his laughter.

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:

Having seen all this, Nārada addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa: “Only because I have served Your lotus feet can I understand these varieties of Your Yoga-māyā potency, which ordinary living beings bewildered by illusion cannot begin to perceive. Thus I am most fortunate, and I simply desire to travel all over the three worlds chanting the glories of Your pastimes, which purify all the worlds.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.69
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathereupon
  2. uvācasaid
  3. hṛṣīkeśamto Lord Kṛṣṇa
  4. nāradaḥNārada
  5. prahasanlaughing
  6. ivamildly
  7. yoga-māyāof His spiritual bewildering potencies
  8. udayamthe unfolding
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 can wonder at Kṛṣṇa’s humanlike pastimes remain joined with reverence for His supreme position?

Practice

Pause after reading this verse and remember both Kṛṣṇa’s humanlike behavior and His omniscience.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWonder Tempered by ReverenceThis 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 10.69.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.