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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
10.81.1310.81.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.14

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

स चालब्ध्वा धनं कृष्णान्न तु याचितवान्स्वयम् ।

स्वगृहान् व्रीडितोऽगच्छन्महद्दर्शननिर्वृत: ॥ १४ ॥

sa cālabdhvā dhanaṁ kṛṣṇān

na tu yācitavān svayam

sva-gṛhān vrīḍito ’gacchan

mahad-darśana-nirvṛtaḥ

Translation

Although he had apparently received no wealth from Lord Kṛṣṇa, Sudāmā was too shy to beg for it on his own. He simply returned home, feeling perfectly satisfied to have had the Supreme Lord’s audience.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Satisfied by Seeing the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Sudāmā apparently received no wealth from Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    He was too shy to ask for wealth on his own and simply returned home.

  3. 3

    Having had the Supreme Lord’s audience, Sudāmā felt perfectly satisfied. His joy did not depend on receiving visible riches.

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:

Feeling as if he had gone back to Godhead, Sudāmā spent that night comfortably in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s palace, and the next morning he set off for home. As he passed along the highway, he thought of how fortunate he was to have been so honored by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.81
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. caand
  3. alabdhvānot having obtained
  4. dhanamwealth
  5. kṛṣṇātfrom Lord Kṛṣṇa
  6. nanot
  7. tuhowever
  8. yācitavāndid beg
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “wealth”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Sudāmā’s satisfaction challenge what you hope to receive from the Lord?

Practice

Take a quiet moment to remember Kṛṣṇa without asking Him for material things.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySatisfied by Seeing the Supreme LordThis 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 10.81.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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