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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 81: The Lord Blesses Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa
10.80.4510.81.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.81.1-2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.81.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

स इत्थं द्विजमुख्येन सह सङ्कथयन् हरि: ।

सर्वभूतमनोऽभिज्ञ: स्मयमान उवाच तम् ॥ १ ॥

ब्रह्मण्यो ब्राह्मणं कृष्णो भगवान् प्रहसन् प्रियम् ।

प्रेम्णा निरीक्षणेनैव प्रेक्षन् खलु सतां गति: ॥ २ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

sa itthaṁ dvija-mukhyena

saha saṅkathayan hariḥ

sarva-bhūta-mano-’bhijñaḥ

smayamāna uvāca tam

brahmaṇyo brāhmaṇaṁ kṛṣṇo

bhagavān prahasan priyam

premṇā nirīkṣaṇenaiva

prekṣan khalu satāṁ gatiḥ

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī said:] Lord Hari, Kṛṣṇa, perfectly knows the hearts of all living beings, and He is especially devoted to the brāhmaṇas. While the Supreme Lord, the goal of all saintly persons, conversed in this way with the best of the twice-born, He laughed and spoke the following words to that dear friend of His, the brāhmaṇa Sudāmā, all the while smiling and looking upon him with affection.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Knows and Cherishes His Devotees

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa knows the hearts of all living beings. He knew that Sudāmā had brought flat rice but felt ashamed to present it.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa smiled and laughed affectionately, encouraging His friend to reveal the hidden gift. His loving glance also indicated that Sudāmā’s poverty would soon end.

  3. 3

    Although Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the independent Lord, He gladly reciprocates with His cherished servants. He especially favors brāhmaṇas who have unconditional devotion to Him.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the words sarva-bhūta-mano-’bhijña indicate that since Lord Kṛṣṇa knows the minds of everyone, He could tell at once that His friend Sudāmā had brought some flat rice for Him and was ashamed to present it.
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī’s further explanation of this verse, Lord Kṛṣṇa smiled at this moment, thinking “Yes, I am going to make you show what you brought for Me.”
  • Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is Bhagavān, the supreme, independent Lord, He is always pleased to reciprocate with those who are priya, His cherished servants.

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 81: The Lord Blesses Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In the course of His loving talks with His friend Sudāmā, Lord Kṛṣṇa said, “My dear brāhmaṇa, have you brought any gift for Me from home? I regard as very significant even the smallest offering from My loving devotee.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.81
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. saḥHe
  3. itthamin this manner
  4. dvijaof brāhmaṇas
  5. mukhyenawith the best
  6. sahatogether
  7. saṅkathayanconversing
  8. hariḥLord Hari
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “devotion”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “favors”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that Kṛṣṇa understands your heart affect your desire to serve Him?

Practice

Take a quiet moment to express to Kṛṣṇa your sincere desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Knows and Cherishes His DevoteesThis 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 10.81.1-2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.