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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
10.81.6-710.81.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.81.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं विचिन्त्य वसनाच्चीरबद्धान्द्विजन्मन: ।

स्वयं जहार किमिदमिति पृथुकतण्डुलान् ॥ ८ ॥

itthaṁ vicintya vasanāc

cīra-baddhān dvi-janmanaḥ

svayaṁ jahāra kim idam

iti pṛthuka-taṇḍulān

Translation

Thinking like this, the Lord snatched from the brāhmaṇa’s garment the grains of flat rice tied up in an old piece of cloth and exclaimed, “What is this?

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.

The Lord Takes the Hidden Gift

  1. 1

    The grains of flat rice were tied in an old piece of cloth inside the brāhmaṇa’s garment.

  2. 2

    The Lord Himself snatched the bundle from the garment.

  3. 3

    As He took the rice, the Lord exclaimed, “What is this?” He personally brought the hidden gift into view.

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:

But the poor brāhmaṇa was ashamed to present Kṛṣṇa with his meager gift of flat rice. However, since Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supersoul dwelling in all hearts, He knew why Sudāmā had come to visit 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. itthamin this manner
  2. vicintyathinking
  3. vasanātfrom the garment
  4. cīrain a strip of cloth
  5. baddhāntied up
  6. dvi-janmanaḥof the twice-born brāhmaṇa
  7. svayamHimself
  8. jahāraHe took hold of
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 stands out to you about the Lord personally taking this modest gift?

Practice

Pause today to picture the Lord taking the rice wrapped in old cloth, and reflect on His personal attention to the offering.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Takes the Hidden GiftThis 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 10.81.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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