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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 69: Nārada Muni Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Palaces in Dvārakā
10.69.4310.69.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.69.44

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.69.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं मनुष्यपदवीमनुवर्तमानो

नारायणोऽखिलभवाय गृहीतशक्ति: ।

रेमेऽङ्ग षोडशसहस्रवराङ्गनानां

सव्रीडसौहृदनिरीक्षणहासजुष्ट: ॥ ४४ ॥

evaṁ manuṣya-padavīm anuvartamāno

nārāyaṇo ’khila-bhavāya gṛhīta-śaktiḥ

reme ’ṇga ṣoḍaśa-sahasra-varāṅganānāṁ

sa-vrīḍa-sauhṛda-nirīkṣaṇa-hāsa-juṣṭaḥ

Translation

In this way Lord Nārāyaṇa imitated the ways of ordinary humans, manifesting His divine potencies for the benefit of all beings. Thus He enjoyed, dear King, in the company of His sixteen thousand exalted consorts, who served the Lord with their shy, affectionate glances and laughter.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Divine Potencies for Everyone’s Benefit

  1. 1

    Lord Nārāyaṇa imitated the ways of ordinary humans while manifesting His divine potencies.

  2. 2

    The Lord manifested these potencies for the benefit of all beings. His humanlike conduct did not diminish His divine nature.

  3. 3

    He enjoyed the company of His sixteen thousand exalted consorts. They served Him with shy, affectionate glances and laughter.

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. evamthus
  2. manuṣyaof human beings
  3. padavīmthe path
  4. anuvartamānaḥfollowing
  5. nārāyaṇaḥthe Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa
  6. akhilaof everyone
  7. bhavāyafor the welfare
  8. gṛhītahaving manifested
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.69

    In this verse: “king”

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

What does the consorts’ affectionate service help you appreciate about serving the Lord?

Practice

Offer a brief, affectionate prayer to the Lord today, remembering that His divine activities benefit all beings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.69's connections

Live this todayDivine Potencies for Everyone’s BenefitThis 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 10.69.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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