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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.83.18

Who is speaking and story frame

ज्ञात्वा मम मतं साध्वि पिता दुहितृवत्सल: ।

बृहत्सेन इति ख्यातस्तत्रोपायमचीकरत् ॥ १८ ॥

jñātvā mama mataṁ sādhvi

pitā duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ

bṛhatsena iti khyātas

tatropāyam acīkarat

Translation

My father, Bṛhatsena, was by nature compassionate to his daughter, and knowing how I felt, O saintly lady, he arranged to fulfill my desire.

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.

Compassion Supports a Devotional Desire

  1. 1

    Lakṣmaṇā describes her father, Bṛhatsena, as naturally compassionate toward his daughter.

  2. 2

    He understood how she felt. His care included knowing the desire of her heart.

  3. 3

    Knowing her desire, he arranged a means to fulfill it. In this account, his affection supported her wish to obtain the Lord.

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 83: Draupadī Meets the Queens of Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

So my father fought with Him for twenty-seven days and nights. Finally, Jāmbavān understood that Kṛṣṇa was none other than Lord Rāmacandra, his worshipable Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.83
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jñātvāknowing
  2. mamamy
  3. matammentality
  4. sādhviO saintly lady
  5. pitāmy father
  6. duhitṛto his daughter
  7. vatsalaḥaffectionate
  8. bṛhatsenaḥ iti khyātaḥknown as Bṛhatsena
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “compassionate”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “father”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I better understand and support someone’s desire to draw closer to the Lord?

Practice

Ask someone about one devotional wish they have, and listen with care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassion Supports a Devotional DesireThis 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 10.83.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.