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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
10.80.210.80.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.3

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

सा वाग् यया तस्य गुणान् गृणीते

करौ च तत्कर्मकरौ मनश्च ।

स्मरेद् वसन्तं स्थिरजङ्गमेषु

श‍ृणोति तत्पुण्यकथा: स कर्ण: ॥ ३ ॥

sā vāg yayā tasya guṇān gṛṇīte

karau ca tat-karma-karau manaś ca

smared vasantaṁ sthira-jaṅgameṣu

śṛṇoti tat-puṇya-kathāḥ sa karṇaḥ

Translation

Actual speech is that which describes the qualities of the Lord, real hands are those that work for Him, a true mind is that which always remembers Him dwelling within everything moving and nonmoving, and actual ears are those that listen to sanctifying topics about Him.

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.

Let the Senses Serve Kṛṣṇa Together

  1. 1

    Speech finds its purpose in describing the Lord's qualities, and hands in working for Him. Without connection to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, the bodily organs become useless.

  2. 2

    The ears should listen to sanctifying topics about the Lord, and the mind should remember Him dwelling within everything moving and nonmoving.

  3. 3

    The senses should work together in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Whatever the eyes or ears experience, the mind should remember Kṛṣṇa within all things.

Key points from the purport
  • While continuing from the previous verse to glorify the sense of hearing dedicated to the Lord, King Parīkṣit mentions the other senses also, so that we gain a complete picture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī mentions that the senses should work together in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • In other words, whatever the eyes or the ears experience, the mind should simply remember Kṛṣṇa, who is within all things.

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:

The brāhmaṇa Sudāmā, a personal friend of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s, was completely free of material desires. He maintained himself and his wife with whatever came of its own accord, and thus they were poverty-stricken.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.80
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāthat (is)
  2. vākpower of speech
  3. yayāby which
  4. tasyaHis
  5. guṇānqualities
  6. gṛṇīteone describes
  7. karaupair of hands
  8. caand
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

How can my senses work together in service to Kṛṣṇa today?

Practice

Read one description of the Lord's qualities aloud, listening carefully and keeping your mind on Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet the Senses Serve Kṛṣṇa TogetherThis 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 10.80.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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