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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
10.81.3710.81.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.38

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.81.38inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या भक्तोऽतीव जनार्दने ।

विषयान् जायया त्यक्ष्यन्बुभुजे नातिलम्पट: ॥ ३८ ॥

itthaṁ vyavasito buddhyā

bhakto ’tīva janārdane

viṣayān jāyayā tyakṣyan

bubhuje nāti-lampaṭaḥ

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus firmly fixing his determination by means of his spiritual intelligence, Sudāmā remained absolutely devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of all living beings. Free from avarice, he enjoyed, together with his wife, the sense pleasures that had been bestowed upon him, always with the idea of eventually renouncing all sense gratification.

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.

Remain Devoted Without Greed

  1. 1

    Sudāmā firmly fixed his determination through spiritual intelligence. He remained absolutely devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of all living beings.

  2. 2

    He enjoyed the sense pleasures bestowed upon him together with his wife, but remained free from avarice.

  3. 3

    Even while enjoying these gifts, he intended eventually to renounce all sense gratification. His devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa remained firm.

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:

Sudāmā entered his home together with her, thinking that this extraordinary transformation must have been due to the Supreme Lord’s mercy on him. From then on Sudāmā lived his life amidst lavish wealth, yet he maintained his mood of detachment and constantly chanted the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa In a short time he broke off all bonds of bodily attachment and attained to the kingdom of God.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.81
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itthamin this way
  2. vyavasitaḥfixing his determination
  3. buddhyāwith intelligence
  4. bhaktaḥdevoted
  5. atīvaabsolutely
  6. janārdaneto Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of all living beings
  7. viṣayānthe objects of sense gratification
  8. jāyayāwith his wife
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “renouncing”, “free from”, “renounce”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I remain devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa without becoming greedy for the comforts I receive?

Practice

Today, enjoy one ordinary comfort without seeking more, and take a moment to remember Lord Kṛṣṇa as your shelter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Devoted Without GreedThis 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 10.81.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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