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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
  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 80: The Brāhmaṇa Sudāmā Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā
10.80.110.80.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 10.80.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

को नु श्रुत्वासकृद् ब्रह्मन्नुत्तम:श्लोकसत्कथा: ।

विरमेत विशेषज्ञो विषण्ण: काममार्गणै: ॥ २ ॥

ko nu śrutvāsakṛd brahmann

uttamaḥśloka-sat-kathāḥ

virameta viśeṣa-jño

viṣaṇṇaḥ kāma-mārgaṇaiḥ

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, how could anyone who knows the essence of life and is disgusted with endeavoring for sense gratification give up the transcendental topics of Lord Uttamaḥśloka after hearing them repeatedly?

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 Genuine Taste Sustains Hearing

  1. 1

    Those who have actually understood the essence of life do not give up Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    Understanding life's essence and becoming disgusted with material sense gratification are complementary. A real taste of Kṛṣṇa consciousness makes material pleasure seem inferior.

  3. 3

    A genuine hearer cannot give up hearing about the Lord's fascinating pastimes, even after hearing them repeatedly.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments herein that we see many persons who, even after hearing the topics of the Lord repeatedly, give up their spiritual dedication.
  • Those who have actually understood the essence of life do not give up Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Such a genuine hearer of the topics of Kṛṣṇa cannot give up hearing about the Lord’s fascinating pastimes.

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

Humility and separation → Friendship and reunion. The sweetness of relationship outweighs prestige.

Chapters 80–86 of Canto 10: Sudāmā and reunion with the residents of Vraja. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 80: The Brāhmaṇa Sudāmā Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter relates how Lord Kṛṣṇa worshiped His brāhmaṇa friend Sudāmā, who came to His palace seeking charity, and how the two of them discussed the pastimes they had shared while living at the home of their spiritual master, Sāndīpani Muni. The brāhmaṇa Sudāmā, a personal friend of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s, was completely free of material desires.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.80
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaḥwho
  2. nuindeed
  3. śrutvāhaving heard
  4. asakṛtrepeatedly
  5. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  6. uttamaḥ-ślokaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  7. sattranscendental
  8. kathāḥtopics
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “give up”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How is hearing about Kṛṣṇa changing what I find satisfying?

Practice

Spend five minutes rereading a topic about Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking a sense pleasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Genuine Taste Sustains HearingThis 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 10.80.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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