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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.
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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.75.4-7

Who is speaking and story frame

भीमो महानसाध्यक्षो धनाध्यक्ष: सुयोधन: ।

सहदेवस्तु पूजायां नकुलो द्रव्यसाधने ॥ ४ ॥

गुरुशुश्रूषणे जिष्णु: कृष्ण: पादावनेजने ।

परिवेषणे द्रुपदजा कर्णो दाने महामना: ॥ ५ ॥

युयुधानो विकर्णश्च हार्दिक्यो विदुरादय: ।

बाह्लीकपुत्रा भूर्याद्या ये च सन्तर्दनादय: ॥ ६ ॥

निरूपिता महायज्ञे नानाकर्मसु ते तदा ।

प्रवर्तन्ते स्म राजेन्द्र राज्ञ: प्रियचिकीर्षव: ॥ ७ ॥

bhīmo mahānasādhyakṣo

dhanādhyakṣaḥ suyodhanaḥ

sahadevas tu pūjāyāṁ

nakulo dravya-sādhane

guru-śuśrūṣaṇe jiṣṇuḥ

kṛṣṇaḥ pādāvanejane

pariveṣaṇe drupada-jā

karṇo dāne mahā-manāḥ

yuyudhāno vikarṇaś ca

hārdikyo vidurādayaḥ

bāhlīka-putrā bhūry-ādyā

ye ca santardanādayaḥ

nirūpitā mahā-yajñe

nānā-karmasu te tadā

pravartante sma rājendra

rājñaḥ priya-cikīrṣavaḥ

Translation

Bhīma supervised the kitchen, Duryodhana looked after the treasury, while Sahadeva respectfully greeted the arriving guests. Nakula procured needed items, Arjuna attended the respectable elders, and Kṛṣṇa washed everyone’s feet, while Draupadī served food, and generous Karṇa gave out the gifts. Many others, such as Yuyudhāna; Vikarṇa, Hārdikya; Vidura; Bhūriśravā and other sons of Bāhlīka; and Santardana, similarly volunteered for various duties during the elaborate sacrifice. They did so because of their eagerness to please Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, O best of kings.

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.

Serve With Eagerness to Please

  1. 1

    The volunteers accepted varied duties: Bhīma supervised the kitchen, Duryodhana managed the treasury, and Sahadeva welcomed guests.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa washed everyone’s feet, while Arjuna attended the elders and Draupadī served food. Humble service had a place within the elaborate sacrifice.

  3. 3

    Karṇa distributed gifts, and many others volunteered for needed duties. Their eagerness to please Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira moved them to serve.

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 75: Duryodhana Humiliated

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

At the time of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya sacrifice, many of his relatives and well-wishers endeavored to please him by performing necessary services. When the sacrifice was complete, the King adorned the priests, the exalted members of the assembly and his own relatives with fragrant sandalwood paste, flower garlands and fine clothing.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.75
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhīmaḥBhīma
  2. mahānasaof the kitchen
  3. adhyakṣaḥthe supervisor
  4. dhanaof the treasury
  5. adhyakṣaḥthe supervisor
  6. suyodhanaḥSuyodhana (Duryodhana)
  7. sahadevaḥSahadeva
  8. tuand
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “kings”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “humble”

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

Am I willing to accept a humble task simply to please the person I serve?

Practice

Remember Kṛṣṇa washing everyone’s feet as you do one humble act of service today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe With Eagerness to PleaseThis 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 10.75.4-7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.