1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.72.23

Who is speaking and story frame

राजन्यबन्धवो ह्येते ब्रह्मलिङ्गानि बिभ्रति ।

ददानि भिक्षितं तेभ्य आत्मानमपि दुस्त्यजम् ॥ २३ ॥

rājanya-bandhavo hy ete

brahma-liṅgāni bibhrati

dadāni bhikṣitaṁ tebhya

ātmānam api dustyajam

Translation

[Jarāsandha thought:] These are surely members of the royal order dressed as brāhmaṇas, but still I must grant their request for charity, even if they beg me for my own body.

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.

A Strong Commitment to Charity

  1. 1

    Jarāsandha believed his guests were members of the royal order dressed as brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    Despite this suspicion, he resolved to grant their request for charity, even if they asked for his own body.

  3. 3

    The purport highlights his strong commitment to charity, especially when approached by brāhmaṇas.

Key points from the purport
  • Here Jarāsandha reveals his strong commitment to charity, especially when begged by brāhmaṇas.

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 72: The Slaying of the Demon Jarāsandha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They introduced themselves as brāhmaṇas to King Jarāsandha, flattering him by praising his reputation for hospitality, and requested him to grant their desire. Seeing the marks of bowstrings on their limbs, Jarāsandha concluded that they were warriors and not brāhmaṇas, but still, even though fearful, he promised to fulfill whatever desire they might have.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.72
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rājanya-bandhavaḥrelatives of kṣatriyas
  2. hiindeed
  3. etethese
  4. brahmaof brāhmaṇas
  5. liṅgānithe signs
  6. bibhratithey are wearing
  7. dadāniI should give
  8. bhikṣitamwhat is begged
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 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

How steady is my willingness to give when giving becomes inconvenient?

Practice

Give one small thing today that you can responsibly spare, even if doing so takes some effort.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Strong Commitment to CharityThis 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 10.72.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.