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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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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 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities
10.70.1010.70.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.70.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आत्मानं भूषयामास नरलोकविभूषणम् । वासोभिर्भूषणै: स्वीयैर्दिव्यस्रगनुलेपनै: ॥ ११ ॥

ātmānaṁ bhūṣayām āsa

nara-loka-vibhūṣaṇam

vāsobhir bhūṣaṇaiḥ svīyair

divya-srag-anulepanaiḥ

Translation

He would decorate His body, the very ornament of human society, with His own special clothes and jewelry and with divine flower garlands and ointments.

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 Is Human Society’s Ornament

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa’s body is itself the very ornament of human society.

  2. 2

    He decorated Himself with His own special clothes and jewelry, divine flower garlands and ointments.

  3. 3

    Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that His own garments and ornaments include His yellow garments and the Kaustubha gem.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīdhara Svāmī points out that the Lord’s “own garments and ornaments” include the Lord’s well-known yellow garments, the Kaustubha gem and so on.

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

War and pride → Justice and protection. The public expression of divine power comes to the foreground.

Chapters 70–79 of Canto 10: Kingship, Jarāsandha and royal challenges. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then He would touch auspicious substances, decorate Himself with celestial ornaments and gratify His subjects by giving them whatever they desired. The Lord’s chariot driver, Dāruka, would bring His chariot, and the Lord would mount it and drive to the royal assembly hall.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.70
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ātmānamHimself
  2. bhūṣayām āsaHe decorated
  3. nara-lokaof human society
  4. vibhūṣaṇamthe very ornament
  5. vāsobhiḥwith clothes
  6. bhūṣaṇaiḥand jewelry
  7. svīyaiḥbelonging to Himself
  8. divyadivine
  9. srakwith flower garlands
  10. anulepanaiḥand ointments
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

What stands out to you in the description of Kṛṣṇa Himself as the ornament of human society?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering Kṛṣṇa adorned with yellow garments, the Kaustubha gem and flower garlands.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Human Society’s OrnamentThis 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 10.70.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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