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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
10.80.810.80.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.80.9

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sudāmā’s wifesince 10.80.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ननु ब्रह्मन् भगवत: सखा साक्षाच्छ्रिय: पति: ।

ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च भगवान् सात्वतर्षभ: ॥ ९ ॥

nanu brahman bhagavataḥ

sakhā sākṣāc chriyaḥ patiḥ

brahmaṇyaś ca śaraṇyaś ca

bhagavān sātvatarṣabhaḥ

Translation

[Sudāmā’s wife said:] O brāhmaṇa, isn’t it true that the husband of the goddess of fortune is the personal friend of your exalted self? That greatest of Yādavas, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, is compassionate to brāhmaṇas and very willing to grant them His shelter.

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.

Trust Kṛṣṇa's Compassionate Shelter

  1. 1

    Sudāmā's wife reminds him that his personal friend is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord and husband of the goddess of fortune. He is compassionate to brāhmaṇas and willing to grant shelter.

  2. 2

    She anticipates his doubts about his own worthiness and devotion. She assures him that, as a great and wise personality, he would obtain the Lord's shelter and mercy.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is especially the Lord of His devotees. Even if He did not personally give charity, His devotees engaged in His service would mercifully help.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains in his commentary how the brāhmaṇa’s wife anticipated every possible objection her husband might make to her request that he go to Lord Kṛṣṇa to beg charity.
  • If the brāhmaṇa might say, “How could the husband of the goddess of fortune befriend a fallen soul like myself?” she replies by saying that Lord Kṛṣṇa is brahmaṇya, very favorably disposed toward the brāhmaṇas.
  • If Sudāmā might claim to have no real devotion for the Lord, she replies by saying that he is a great and wise personality who would surely obtain the shelter and mercy of the Lord.

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:

One day Sudāmā’s wife, unable to find any food to prepare for her husband, went to him and asked that he visit his friend Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā and beg some charity. Sudāmā was reluctant, but when she persisted he agreed to go, reflecting that an opportunity to see the Lord was extremely auspicious.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.80
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanuindeed
  2. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  3. bhagavataḥof your exalted self
  4. sakhāthe friend
  5. sākṣātdirectly
  6. śriyaḥof the supreme goddess of fortune
  7. patiḥthe husband
  8. brahmaṇyaḥcompassionate to brāhmaṇas
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassionate”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do doubts about my own worthiness keep me from seeking Kṛṣṇa's shelter?

Practice

Offer a short prayer seeking Kṛṣṇa's shelter while remembering His compassion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrust Kṛṣṇa's Compassionate ShelterThis 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 10.80.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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