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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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings
10.73.1010.73.12-13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.73.11

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The kingssince 10.73.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मृगतृष्णां यथा बाला मन्यन्त उदकाशयम् ।

एवं वैकारिकीं मायामयुक्ता वस्तु चक्षते ॥ ११ ॥

mṛga-tṛṣṇāṁ yathā bālā

manyanta udakāśayam

evaṁ vaikārikīṁ māyām

ayuktā vastu cakṣate

Translation

Just as men of childish intelligence consider a mirage in the desert to be a pond of water, so those who are irrational look upon the illusory transformations of Māyā as substantial.

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.

Do Not Mistake a Mirage for Substance

  1. 1

    People of childish intelligence mistake a desert mirage for a pond of water.

  2. 2

    In the same way, those who lack sound judgment regard the illusory transformations of Māyā as substantial.

  3. 3

    The comparison warns against trusting appearances without discrimination. What looks substantial may be as deceptive as water in a mirage.

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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then they stood with joined palms and began to pray to Him. Seeing their imprisonment as an act of mercy by the Lord to smash their false pride, the kings prayed only to be granted whatever would facilitate their perpetual remembrance of His lotus feet.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.73
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mṛga-tṛṣṇāma mirage
  2. yathāas
  3. bālāḥmen of childish intelligence
  4. manyanteconsider
  5. udakaof water
  6. āśayama reservoir
  7. evamin the same way
  8. vaikārikīmsubject to transformations
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.73

    In this verse: “māyā”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.73

    In this verse: “childish”

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 attractive appearance are you accepting without thoughtful examination?

Practice

Choose one thing you strongly desire and briefly consider whether its promise is substantial or miragelike.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Mistake a Mirage for SubstanceThis 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 10.73.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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