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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 80: The Brāhmaṇa Sudāmā Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā
10.80.20-2210.80.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.80.12-13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कुचैलं मलिनं क्षामं द्विजं धमनिसन्ततम् ।

देवी पर्यचरत् साक्षाच्चामरव्यजनेन वै ॥ २३ ॥

ku-cailaṁ malinaṁ kṣāmaṁ

dvijaṁ dhamani-santatam

devī paryacarat sākṣāc

cāmara-vyajanena vai

Translation

By fanning him with her cāmara, the divine goddess of fortune personally served that poor brāhmaṇa, whose clothing was torn and dirty and who was so thin that veins were visible all over his body.

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.

Personal Service Beyond Outward Appearance

  1. 1

    The poor brāhmaṇa wore torn and dirty clothing.

  2. 2

    He was so thin that veins were visible all over his body.

  3. 3

    The divine goddess of fortune personally served him by fanning him with her cāmara. His poverty did not prevent this honored service.

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:

As Sudāmā approached the palace of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s principal wife, Rukmiṇī-devī, the Lord saw him from a distance. Kṛṣṇa immediately rose from His seat on Rukmiṇī’s bed and embraced His friend with great joy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.80
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kupoor
  2. cailamwhose dress
  3. malinamdirty
  4. kṣāmamemaciated
  5. dvijamthe brāhmaṇa
  6. dhamani-santatamhis veins visible
  7. devīthe goddess of fortune
  8. paryacaratserved
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does someone’s clothing or poverty affect my willingness to serve them respectfully?

Practice

Offer one small act of practical help to someone without judging their appearance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPersonal Service Beyond Outward AppearanceThis 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 10.80.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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