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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.81.9

Who is speaking and story frame

नन्वेतदुपनीतं मे परमप्रीणनं सखे ।

तर्पयन्त्यङ्ग मां विश्वमेते पृथुकतण्डुला: ॥ ९ ॥

nanv etad upanītaṁ me

parama-prīṇanaṁ sakhe

tarpayanty aṅga māṁ viśvam

ete pṛthuka-taṇḍulāḥ

Translation

“My friend, have You brought this for Me? It gives Me extreme pleasure. Indeed, these few grains of flat rice will satisfy not only Me but also the entire universe.”

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.

Serving Kṛṣṇa Benefits the Whole Creation

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa told His friend that the few grains of flat rice gave Him extreme pleasure. They would satisfy both Him and the entire universe.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is the original source of everything and the root of all creation. Serving Him is like watering a tree’s root, which supplies every part of the tree.

  3. 3

    An offering or action done for Kṛṣṇa is the highest welfare work for everyone. Its benefit spreads throughout creation, and love for Kṛṣṇa reaches all living beings.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: “It is understood from this statement that Kṛṣṇa, being the original source of everything, is the root of the entire creation.
  • As watering the root of a tree immediately distributes water to every part of the tree, so an offering made to Kṛṣṇa, or any action done for Kṛṣṇa, is to be considered the highest welfare work for everyone, because the benefit of such an offering is distributed throughout the creation.
  • Love for Kṛṣṇa becomes distributed to all living entities.”

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:

So He grabbed the bundle of flat rice Sudāmā was hiding and ate a handful of it with great pleasure. He was about to eat a second morsel when Rukmiṇī devī stopped 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. nanuwhether
  2. etatthis
  3. upanītambrought
  4. mefor Me
  5. paramasupreme
  6. prīṇanamgiving satisfaction
  7. sakheO friend
  8. tarpayantiingratiate
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the image of watering a tree’s root deepen your understanding of service to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Dedicate one action to Kṛṣṇa today, remembering that service to Him benefits all living beings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServing Kṛṣṇa Benefits the Whole CreationThis 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 10.81.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.