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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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings
10.73.1810.73.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.73.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 10.73.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दिष्‍ट्या व्यवसितं भूपा भवन्त ऋतभाषिण: ।

श्रीयैश्वर्यमदोन्नाहं पश्य उन्मादकं नृणाम् ॥ १९ ॥

diṣṭyā vyavasitaṁ bhūpā

bhavanta ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ

śrīy-aiśvarya-madonnāhaṁ

paśya unmādakaṁ nṛṇām

Translation

Fortunately you have come to the proper conclusion, my dear kings, and what you have spoken is true. I can see that human beings’ lack of self-restraint, which arises from their intoxication with opulence and power, simply leads to madness.

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.

Opulence and Power Can Intoxicate

  1. 1

    The Lord affirmed that the kings had reached the proper conclusion and spoken truthfully.

  2. 2

    Intoxication with opulence and power gives rise to a lack of self-restraint.

  3. 3

    The Lord warned that this lack of restraint simply leads human beings to madness.

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:

The Lord assured the kings that their prayer would be fulfilled. He instructed them, “Worship Me by performing Vedic sacrifices, and protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.73
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. diṣṭyāfortunate
  2. vyavasitamyour resolve
  3. bhūpāḥO kings
  4. bhavantaḥyou
  5. ṛtatruthfully
  6. bhāṣiṇaḥspeaking
  7. śrīof opulence
  8. aiśvaryaand power
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.73

    In this verse: “kings”

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

Where might comfort or authority be weakening your self-restraint?

Practice

Notice one impulse to show off your possessions or authority, and refrain from acting on it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOpulence and Power Can IntoxicateThis 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 10.73.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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