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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
10.81.4010.82.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.41

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

एतद् ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्य श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मण्यतां नर: ।

लब्धभावो भगवति कर्मबन्धाद् विमुच्यते ॥ ४१ ॥

etad brahmaṇya-devasya

śrutvā brahmaṇyatāṁ naraḥ

labdha-bhāvo bhagavati

karma-bandhād vimucyate

Translation

The Lord always shows brāhmaṇas special favor. Anyone who hears this account of the Supreme Lord’s kindness to brāhmaṇas will come to develop love for the Lord and thus become freed from the bondage of material work.

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.

Hearing the Lord’s Kindness Awakens Love

  1. 1

    Hearing this account of the Supreme Lord’s kindness to brāhmaṇas develops love for Him. Through that love, one becomes free from the bondage of material work.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Supersoul of all living entities, knows everyone’s heart. He is especially inclined toward the brāhmaṇa devotees.

  3. 3

    A devotee fully surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has already acquired the position of a brāhmaṇa. Kṛṣṇa is especially concerned with removing His devotees’ distress and is the only shelter of pure devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • In the introduction to the chapter of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead that describes this pastime, His Divine Grace Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul of all living entities, knows everyone’s heart very well.
  • Therefore it is understood that a devotee who is fully surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead has already acquired the position of a brāhmaṇa.
  • Without becoming a brāhmaṇa, one cannot approach the Supreme Brahman, Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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:

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. etatthis
  2. brahmaṇya-devasyaof the Supreme Lord, who especially favors the brāhmaṇas
  3. śrutvāhearing
  4. brahmaṇyatāmof the kindness toward brāhmaṇas
  5. naraḥa man
  6. labdhaobtaining
  7. bhāvaḥlove
  8. bhagavatifor the Lord
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “kindness”, “distress”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.81

    In this verse: “love”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does hearing that Kṛṣṇa knows my heart encourage me to surrender to Him in devotional service?

Practice

Read this account of the Lord’s kindness aloud today, listening with the wish to develop love for Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing the Lord’s Kindness Awakens LoveThis 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 10.81.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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