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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 81: The Lord Blesses Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa
10.81.1210.81.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.81.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्वोभूते विश्वभावेन स्वसुखेनाभिवन्दित: ।

जगाम स्वालयं तात पथ्यनुव्रज्य नन्दित: ॥ १३ ॥

śvo-bhūte viśva-bhāvena

sva-sukhenābhivanditaḥ

jagāma svālayaṁ tāta

pathy anavrajya nanditaḥ

Translation

The next day, Sudāmā set off for home while being honored by Lord Kṛṣṇa, the self-satisfied maintainer of the universe. The brāhmaṇa felt greatly delighted, my dear King, as he walked along the road.

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 Self-Satisfied Lord Honors Sudāmā

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa maintains the supply of desirable objects for the whole universe. He was about to give Sudāmā opulence greater than Indra’s.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is perfectly complete in His own bliss. His capacity for bestowing gifts is unlimited.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa accompanied Sudāmā a short distance, bowed down to him and spoke respectful words before parting. Sudāmā walked home greatly delighted.

Key points from the purport
  • We are here reminded that Lord Kṛṣṇa maintains the supply of desirable objects for the whole universe.
  • Therefore it is to be understood that He was about to manifest for Sudāmā opulence greater than Indra’s.
  • According to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the word abhivanditaḥ indicates that Śrī Kṛṣṇa accompanied Sudāmā on the road for a short distance and finally parted with the brāhmaṇa after bowing down to him and speaking some respectful words.

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:

As he passed along the highway, he thought of how fortunate he was to have been so honored by Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Absorbed in this meditation, Sudāmā arrived at the place where his home used to be — and he was struck with great wonder.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.81
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śvaḥ-bhūteon the following day
  2. viśvaof the universe
  3. bhāvenaby the maintainer
  4. svawithin Himself
  5. sukhenawho experiences happiness
  6. abhivanditaḥhonored
  7. jagāmahe went
  8. svato his own
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What touches you about the maintainer of the universe personally honoring Sudāmā?

Practice

Spend a minute remembering Kṛṣṇa’s respectful farewell to Sudāmā.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Self-Satisfied Lord Honors SudāmāThis 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 10.81.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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