1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.81.1910.81.21-23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.20

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

अधनोऽयं धनं प्राप्य माद्यन्नुच्चैर्न मां स्मरेत् ।

इति कारुणिको नूनं धनं मेऽभूरि नाददात् ॥ २० ॥

adhano ’yaṁ dhanaṁ prāpya

mādyann uccair na māṁ smaret

iti kāruṇiko nūnaṁ

dhanaṁ me ’bhūri nādadāt

Translation

Thinking “If this poor wretch suddenly becomes rich, he will forget Me in his intoxicating happiness,” the compassionate Lord did not grant me even a little wealth.

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 Greater Treasure of the Lord’s Association

  1. 1

    Sudāmā thought the compassionate Lord had withheld wealth so that intoxicating happiness would not make him forget Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    He understood the apparent absence of riches as the Lord’s compassion rather than neglect.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī offers another meaning: instead of giving Sudāmā slight wealth, Kṛṣṇa gave him the immense treasure of His association.

Key points from the purport
  • Sudāmā’s statement that Lord Kṛṣṇa bestowed on him “not even a little wealth” may also be taken to mean that instead of giving him wealth that was abhuri, “slight,” the Lord in fact gave him the immense treasure of His association.
  • This alternate meaning has been suggested by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī.

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:

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. adhanaḥpoor person
  2. ayamthis
  3. dhanamriches
  4. prāpyaobtaining
  5. mādyandelighting
  6. uccaiḥexcessively
  7. nanot
  8. māmMe
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 10.81

    In this verse: “compassionate”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “absence”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When could delight in material comfort distract you from remembering Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause during one material enjoyment today and take a moment to remember Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Greater Treasure of the Lord’s AssociationThis 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 10.81.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories