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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 80: The Brāhmaṇa Sudāmā Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā
10.80.3310.80.35-36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.34

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.80.28inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नाहमिज्याप्रजातिभ्यां तपसोपशमेन वा ।

तुष्येयं सर्वभूतात्मा गुरुशुश्रूषया यथा ॥ ३४ ॥

nāham ijyā-prajātibhyāṁ

tapasopaśamena vā

tuṣyeyaṁ sarva-bhūtātmā

guru-śuśrūṣayā yathā

Translation

I, the Soul of all beings, am not as satisfied by ritual worship, brahminical initiation, penances or self-discipline as I am by faithful service rendered to one’s spiritual master.

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.

Faithful Service Pleases Kṛṣṇa Most

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Soul of all beings, is especially satisfied by faithful service to one’s spiritual master.

  2. 2

    Ritual worship, brahminical initiation, penances and self-discipline do not satisfy Him as much as this faithful service.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that prajāti can mean begetting good children or receiving second birth through initiation into Vedic culture. Both are praiseworthy, but faithful service to a bona fide spiritual master is higher.

Key points from the purport
  • The word prajāti here indicates either begetting good children or the second birth obtained by ritual initiation into Vedic culture.
  • Although both of these are praiseworthy, Lord Kṛṣṇa here states that faithful service rendered to a bona fide spiritual master is still higher.

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. nanot
  2. ahamI
  3. ijyāby ritual worship
  4. prajātibhyāmthe higher birth of brāhmaṇa initiation
  5. tapasāby austerity
  6. upaśamenaby self-control
  7. vāor
  8. tuṣyeyamcan be satisfied
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.80

    In this verse: “children”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is pleasing Kṛṣṇa through faithful service the goal of my spiritual practice?

Practice

Put one instruction from the bona fide spiritual master into practice today as an act of service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaithful Service Pleases Kṛṣṇa MostThis 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 10.80.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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