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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 81: The Lord Blesses Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa
10.81.1410.81.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.81.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अहो ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्य द‍ृष्टा ब्रह्मण्यता मया ।

यद् दरिद्रतमो लक्ष्मीमाश्लिष्टो बिभ्रतोरसि ॥ १५ ॥

aho brahmaṇya-devasya

dṛṣṭā brahmaṇyatā mayā

yad daridratamo lakṣmīm

āśliṣṭo bibhratorasi

Translation

[Sudāmā thought:] Lord Kṛṣṇa is known to be devoted to the brāhmaṇas, and now I have personally seen this devotion. Indeed, He who carries the goddess of fortune on His chest has embraced the poorest beggar.

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.

The Lord Embraces the Poorest Beggar

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is known to be devoted to the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    Sudāmā reflected that he had now personally witnessed this devotion.

  3. 3

    Though Kṛṣṇa carries the goddess of fortune on His chest, He embraced Sudāmā, who considered himself the poorest beggar.

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. ahoah
  2. brahmaṇyawho is dedicated to brāhmaṇas
  3. devasyaof the Supreme Lord
  4. dṛṣṭaseen
  5. brahmaṇyatāthe devotion to brāhmaṇas
  6. mayāby me
  7. yatinasmuch
  8. daridra-tamaḥthe poorest person
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Kṛṣṇa’s embrace show you about His regard for Sudāmā despite his poverty?

Practice

Reflect for one minute on Kṛṣṇa embracing Sudāmā, the poorest beggar.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Embraces the Poorest BeggarThis 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 10.81.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.