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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.33

Who is speaking and story frame

नन्वर्थकोविदा ब्रह्मन् वर्णाश्रमवतामिह ।

ये मया गुरुणा वाचा तरन्त्यञ्जो भवार्णवम् ॥ ३३ ॥

nanv artha-kovidā brahman

varṇāśrama-vatām iha

ye mayā guruṇā vācā

taranty añjo bhavārṇavam

Translation

Certainly, O brāhmaṇa, of all the followers of the varṇāśrama system, those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best understand their own true welfare.

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.

The Guru Guides Us Beyond Material Existence

  1. 1

    Those who take advantage of Kṛṣṇa’s words in His form as the spiritual master best understand their true welfare.

  2. 2

    A bona fide spiritual master is learned in transcendental science and can guide one across the ocean of birth and death to the spiritual world.

  3. 3

    Such a guru is most deserving of worship and respect because he is the direct representative of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • One’s father is a natural object of reverence, as is a religious leader who initiates one into sacred ceremonies and instructs one in general wisdom.
  • But ultimately the bona fide spiritual master, learned in the transcendental science and thus able to take one across the ocean of birth and death to the spiritual world — such a guru is most deserving of worship and respect, for he is the direct representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as stated here.

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:

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. nanucertainly
  2. arthaof their true welfare
  3. kovidāḥexpert knowers
  4. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  5. varṇāśrama-vatāmamong those engaged in the varṇāśrama system
  6. ihain this world
  7. yewho
  8. mayāby Me
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “varṇāśrama”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I give spiritual instruction greater importance in seeking my true welfare?

Practice

Review one instruction from the bona fide spiritual master and identify one concrete way to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Guru Guides Us Beyond Material ExistenceThis 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 10.80.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.