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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

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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings

10.73.20 10.73.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.73.21

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

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

भवन्त एतद् विज्ञाय देहाद्युत्पाद्यमन्तवत् ।

मां यजन्तोऽध्वरैर्युक्ता: प्रजा धर्मेण रक्ष्यथ ॥ २१ ॥

bhavanta etad vijñāya

dehādy utpādyam anta-vat

māṁ yajanto ’dhvarair yuktāḥ

prajā dharmeṇa rakṣyatha

Translation

Understanding that this material body and everything connected with it have a beginning and an end, worship Me by Vedic sacrifices, and with clear intelligence protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion.

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.

Worship the Lord and Protect Others

1
The material body and everything connected with it have a beginning and an end.
2
The Lord instructed the kings to worship Him through Vedic sacrifices.
3
He also directed them to protect their subjects with clear intelligence, following the principles of religion.

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 73: Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He instructed them, “Worship Me by performing Vedic sacrifices, and protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion. Fixing your minds on Me, beget progeny, and remain always equipoised in happiness and distress.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.73

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

bhavantaḥyou
etatthis
vijñāyaunderstanding
deha-ādithe material body and so forth
utpādyamsubject to birth
anta-vathaving an end
māmMe
yajantaḥworshiping

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
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.73
In this verse: “religion”, “principles”
Rakṣā · Divine protection
Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.73
In this verse: “protect”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.73
In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can awareness of life’s temporary nature clarify your worship and responsibilities?

Practice

Take one thoughtful action today to protect the well-being of someone in your care.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship the Lord and Protect OthersThis 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 10.73.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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