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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 81: The Lord Blesses Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa
10.81.2610.81.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.81.21-23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पत्नीं वीक्ष्य विस्फुरन्तीं देवीं वैमानिकीमिव ।

दासीनां निष्ककण्ठीनां मध्ये भान्तीं स विस्मित: ॥ २७ ॥

patnīṁ vīkṣya visphurantīṁ

devīṁ vaimānikīm iva

dāsīnāṁ niṣka-kaṇṭhīnāṁ

madhye bhāntīṁ sa vismitaḥ

Translation

Sudāmā was amazed to see his wife. Shining forth in the midst of maidservants adorned with jeweled lockets, she looked as effulgent as a demigoddess in her celestial airplane.

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 Lord Preserves Their Recognition

  1. 1

    Sudāmā was amazed to see his wife shining among maidservants adorned with jeweled lockets.

  2. 2

    She appeared as effulgent as a demigoddess in her celestial airplane.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the Supreme Lord had kept Sudāmā in his wretched condition until this moment so that his wife could recognize him.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that up to now the Supreme Lord had kept the brāhmaṇa in his wretched state so that his wife could recognize him.

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:

The brāhmaṇa’s wife, wonderfully adorned with celestial jewelry, came out of the palace and welcomed him with great love and reverence. Sudāmā entered his home together with her, thinking that this extraordinary transformation must have been due to the Supreme Lord’s mercy on him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.81
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. patnīmhis wife
  2. vīkṣyaseeing
  3. visphurantīmappearing effulgent
  4. devīma demigoddess
  5. vaimānikīmcome in a heavenly airplane
  6. ivaas if
  7. dāsīnāmof maidservants
  8. niṣkalockets
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the Lord’s care for this moment of recognition invite you to appreciate?

Practice

Spend a quiet moment remembering the Supreme Lord’s care in allowing Sudāmā’s wife to recognize him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Preserves Their RecognitionThis 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.

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