1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.32

Who is speaking and story frame

स वै सत्कर्मणां साक्षाद् द्विजातेरिह सम्भव: ।

आद्योऽङ्ग यत्राश्रमिणां यथाहं ज्ञानदो गुरु: ॥ ३२ ॥

sa vai sat-karmaṇāṁ sākṣād

dvijāter iha sambhavaḥ

ādyo ’ṅga yatrāśramiṇāṁ

yathāhaṁ jñāna-do guruḥ

Translation

My dear friend, he who gives a person his physical birth is his first spiritual master, and he who initiates him as a twice-born brāhmaṇa and engages him in religious duties is indeed more directly his spiritual master. But the person who bestows transcendental knowledge upon the members of all the spiritual orders of society is one’s ultimate spiritual master. Indeed, he is as good as My own self.

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.

Honor the Giver of Transcendental Knowledge

  1. 1

    The person who gives one physical birth is one’s first spiritual master.

  2. 2

    The teacher who initiates one as a twice-born brāhmaṇa and engages one in religious duties is more directly one’s spiritual master.

  3. 3

    The giver of transcendental knowledge to members of all spiritual orders is one’s ultimate spiritual master. Kṛṣṇa says that this teacher is as good as His own self.

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:

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa then took the hand of His friend, and the two of them reminisced about the things they had done together long ago, while living in the school of their spiritual master. Sudāmā pointed out that Kṛṣṇa engages in the pastime of acquiring an education only to set an example for human society.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.80
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. vaiindeed
  3. satsanctified
  4. karmaṇāmof duties
  5. sākṣātdirectly
  6. dvi-jāteḥof one who has been twice born
  7. ihain this material life
  8. sambhavaḥbirth
3

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 10.80

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I value transcendental knowledge as deeply as other kinds of help I receive?

Practice

Write one sentence of gratitude for a teaching that has deepened your spiritual understanding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor the Giver of Transcendental KnowledgeThis 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 10.80.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.