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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 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities
10.70.3910.70.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.40

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.70.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथाप्याश्रावये ब्रह्म नरलोकविडम्बनम् ।

राज्ञ: पैतृष्वस्रेयस्य भक्तस्य च चिकीर्षितम् ॥ ४० ॥

athāpy āśrāvaye brahma

nara-loka-viḍambanam

rājñaḥ paitṛ-ṣvasreyasya

bhaktasya ca cikīrṣitam

Translation

Nonetheless, O Supreme Truth playing the part of a human being, I shall tell You what Your devotee Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, the son of Your father’s sister, intends to do.

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.

Recognize the Supreme Truth in Humanlike Activities

  1. 1

    Nārada addressed Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Truth playing the part of a human being.

  2. 2

    He agreed to tell the Lord what Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja intended to do.

  3. 3

    Yudhiṣṭhira is identified as both Kṛṣṇa’s devotee and the son of His father’s sister.

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:

Nārada then praised the Supreme Lord and replied, “King Yudhiṣṭhira desires to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice. For this he requests Your sanction and presence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.70
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atha apinonetheless
  2. āśrāvayeI shall tell
  3. brahmaO Supreme Truth
  4. nara-lokaof human society
  5. viḍambanam(to You) who imitate
  6. rājñaḥof the King (Yudhiṣṭhira)
  7. paitṛof Your father
  8. svasreyasyaof the sister’s son
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “father’s”

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

Can I remember Kṛṣṇa’s supreme identity while reading about His humanlike dealings?

Practice

Read this verse once more, pausing at the words “Supreme Truth.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Supreme Truth in Humanlike ActivitiesThis 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 10.70.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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