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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.70.11 10.70.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.12

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

अवेक्ष्याज्यं तथादर्शं गोवृषद्विजदेवता: ।

कामांश्च सर्ववर्णानां पौरान्त:पुरचारिणाम् ।

प्रदाप्य प्रकृती: कामै: प्रतोष्य प्रत्यनन्दत ॥ १२ ॥

avekṣyājyaṁ tathādarśaṁ

go-vṛṣa-dvija-devatāḥ

kāmāṁś ca sarva-varṇānāṁ

paurāntaḥ-pura-cāriṇām

pradāpya prakṛtīḥ kāmaiḥ

pratoṣya pratyanandata

Translation

He would then look at ghee, a mirror, the cows and bulls, the brāhmaṇas and the demigods and see to it that the members of all the social classes living in the palace and throughout the city were satisfied with gifts. After this He would greet His ministers, gratifying them by fulfilling all their desires.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Care Extends to Every Social Class

1
Lord Kṛṣṇa looked at ghee, a mirror, cows and bulls, brāhmaṇas and demigods.
2
He arranged gifts so that members of every social class, both in the palace and throughout the city, were satisfied.
3
He then greeted His ministers and gratified them by fulfilling their desires.

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

Chapter 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After executing the dawn rituals and other religious duties, He would offer oblations into the sacred fire, chant the Gāyatrī mantra, worship and pay tribute to the demigods, sages and forefathers, and offer respects to learned brāhmaṇas. Then He would touch auspicious substances, decorate Himself with celestial ornaments and gratify His subjects by giving them whatever they desired.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.70