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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 10.69.45

Who is speaking and story frame

यानीह विश्वविलयोद्भववृत्तिहेतु:

कर्माण्यनन्यविषयाणि हरिश्चकार ।

यस्त्वङ्ग गायति श‍ृणोत्यनुमोदते वा

भक्तिर्भवेद् भगवति ह्यपवर्गमार्गे ॥ ४५ ॥

यस्यात्मबुद्धि: कुणपे त्रिधातुके

स्वधी: कलत्रादिषु भौम इज्यधी: ।

यत्तीर्थबुद्धि: सलिले न कर्हिचिज्

जनेष्वभिज्ञेषु स एव गोखर: ॥

yānīha viśva-vilayodbhava-vṛtti-hetuḥ

karmāṇy ananya-viṣayāṇi harīś cakāra

yas tv aṅga gāyati śṛṇoty anumodate vā

bhaktir bhaved bhagavati hy apavarga-mārge

Translation

Lord Hari is the ultimate cause of universal creation, maintenance and destruction. My dear King, anyone who chants about, hears about or simply appreciates the extraordinary activities He performed in this world, which are impossible to imitate, will surely develop devotion for the Supreme Lord, the bestower of liberation.

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.

Hearing Kṛṣṇa’s Activities Awakens Devotion

  1. 1

    Lord Hari, Kṛṣṇa, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the ultimate cause of universal creation, maintenance and destruction. His extraordinary activities are impossible to imitate.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that these activities may be unusual even for His plenary expansions, or performed for His pure, exclusive devotees. Reciting or hearing them certainly engages one in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Chanting, hearing or appreciating these activities develops devotion to the Supreme Lord, who bestows liberation. Supporting a preacher of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement also brings these benefits, helping one traverse the path of liberation and taste the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • This term may indicate that the Lord performed activities in Dvārakā that were unusual even for His plenary expansions, to say nothing of others.
  • Or the term can be understood to indicate that the Lord performed these activities for the sake of His pure, exclusive devotees.
  • In any case, one who recites or hears accounts of these pastimes will certainly be engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and, as Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “certainly find it very easy to traverse the path of liberation and taste the nectar of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa.”

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. yāniwhich
  2. ihain this world
  3. viśvaof the universe
  4. vilayaof the destruction
  5. udbhavacreation
  6. vṛttiand maintenance
  7. hetuḥHe who is the cause
  8. karmāṇiactivities
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.69

    In this verse: “chants”, “chanting”, “hearing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • 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

Which can you make time for today: reciting, hearing or appreciating Kṛṣṇa’s activities?

Practice

Read aloud one of these accounts of Kṛṣṇa’s activities, with the wish to develop devotional service to Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Kṛṣṇa’s Activities Awakens DevotionThis 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 10.69.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.