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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
10.69.3710.69.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.69.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.69.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विदाम योगमायास्ते दुर्दर्शा अपि मायिनाम् ।

योगेश्वरात्मन् निर्भाता भवत्पादनिषेवया ॥ ३८ ॥

vidāma yoga-māyās te

durdarśā api māyinām

yogeśvarātman nirbhātā

bhavat-pāda-niṣevayā

Translation

[Nārada said:] Now we understand Your mystic potencies, which are difficult to comprehend, even for great mystics, O Supreme Soul, master of all mystic power. Only by serving Your feet have I been able to perceive Your powers.

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.

Understanding Comes Through Service

  1. 1

    Nārada addressed Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Soul and the master of all mystic power.

  2. 2

    Even great mystics like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva cannot fully comprehend the Supreme Lord’s mystic power.

  3. 3

    Nārada said that only by serving the Lord’s feet had he been able to perceive His powers.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, this verse indicates that even great mystics like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva cannot fully comprehend the mystic power of the Supreme Lord.

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. vidāmawe know
  2. yoga-māyāḥthe mystic potencies
  3. teYour
  4. durdarśāḥimpossible to see
  5. apieven
  6. māyināmfor great mystics
  7. yoga-īśvaraO Lord of all mystic power
  8. ātmanO Supreme Soul
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.69

    In this verse: “understand”

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

Am I approaching understanding of Kṛṣṇa with a desire to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa asking for the opportunity to serve His feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstanding Comes Through ServiceThis 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 10.69.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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