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
10.81.3310.81.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.34

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

नन्वब्रुवाणो दिशते समक्षं

याचिष्णवे भूर्यपि भूरिभोज: ।

पर्जन्यवत्तत् स्वयमीक्षमाणो

दाशार्हकाणामृषभ: सखा मे ॥ ३४ ॥

nanv abruvāṇo diśate samakṣaṁ

yāciṣṇave bhūry api bhūri-bhojaḥ

parjanya-vat tat svayam īkṣamāṇo

dāśārhakāṇām ṛṣabhaḥ sakhā me

Translation

After all, my friend Kṛṣṇa, the most exalted of the Dāśārhas and the enjoyer of unlimited wealth, noticed that I secretly intended to beg from Him. Thus even though He said nothing about it when I stood before Him, He actually bestowed upon me the most abundant riches. In this way He acted just like a merciful rain cloud.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Gives Silently and Generously

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the unlimited enjoyer, understood Sudāmā’s unspoken intention to beg. He bestowed abundant wealth without announcing it.

  2. 2

    The Lord valued the rice Sudāmā had begged from a neighbor above all His own treasures. He felt unable to repay His devotee’s offering adequately.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa silently bestowed His favor like a generous rain cloud that waters the fields at night. His silence expressed His sense that even such gifts were insufficient.

Key points from the purport
  • Embarrassed at being unable to properly reciprocate His devotee’s offering, Lord Kṛṣṇa bestowed His favor on the brāhmaṇa silently.
  • The Lord acted just like a magnanimous rain cloud which provides the necessities of life for everyone near and far but feels ashamed that its rain is too insignificant a gift to give in return for the abundant offerings that farmers make to it.
  • The chiefs of the Dāśārha clan, with whom Lord Kṛṣṇa is identified in this verse, were especially renowned for their generosity.

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:

While he stood astonished, a group of beautiful men and women came forward to greet him with singing and music. The brāhmaṇa’s wife, wonderfully adorned with celestial jewelry, came out of the palace and welcomed him with great love and reverence.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.81
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanuafter all
  2. abruvānaḥnot speaking
  3. diśateHe has given
  4. samakṣamin His presence
  5. yāciṣṇaveto him who was intending to beg
  6. bhūriplentiful (wealth)
  7. apieven
  8. bhūriof plentiful (wealth)
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “merciful”, “favor”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “friend”

  • 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

What does Kṛṣṇa’s appreciation of Sudāmā’s offering teach you about loving generosity?

Practice

Quietly give someone a small, useful gift today without seeking acknowledgment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Gives Silently and GenerouslyThis 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 10.81.34? 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