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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 83: Draupadī Meets the Queens of Kṛṣṇa
10.83.3710.83.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.83.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Lakṣmaṇāsince 10.83.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दासीभि: सर्वसम्पद्भ‍िर्भटेभरथवाजिभि: ।

आयुधानि महार्हाणि ददौ पूर्णस्य भक्तित: ॥ ३८ ॥

dāsībhiḥ sarva-sampadbhir

bhaṭebha-ratha-vājibhiḥ

āyudhāni mahārhāṇi

dadau pūrṇasya bhaktitaḥ

Translation

With devotion he presented the perfectly complete Lord with a number of maidservants bedecked with precious ornaments. Accompanying these maidservants were guards walking on foot and others riding elephants, chariots and horses. He also gave the Lord extremely valuable weapons.

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.

Offer With Love, Not for Profit

  1. 1

    The father presented the Lord with richly adorned maidservants, accompanying guards and valuable weapons. He made these offerings out of devotion.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord is pūrṇa, perfect and complete in Himself. He requires nothing for His satisfaction.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee offers only out of love, without expecting material profit. The Lord happily accepts even flowers, tulasī leaves or water offered with love.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord is pūrṇa, perfect and complete in Himself.
  • Knowing this, a pure devotee makes offerings to the Lord only out of love, bhaktitaḥ, with no expectation of material profit.
  • And on His part, the Lord happily accepts even a small gift of flowers, tulasī leaves and water when it has been offered in love.

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 83: Draupadī Meets the Queens of Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa valiantly fought them, cutting off the heads, arms and legs of many and sending the rest fleeing for their lives. Then the Lord took me to Dvārakā for our lavish wedding.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.83
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dāsībhiḥalong with maidservants
  2. sarvaall
  3. sampadbhiḥendowed with riches
  4. bhaṭawith infantry soldiers
  5. ibhasoldiers riding elephants
  6. rathasoldiers riding chariots
  7. vājibhiḥand soldiers riding horses
  8. āyudhāniweapons
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “guards”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “love”

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

Can you offer something to Kṛṣṇa without expecting anything material in return?

Practice

Offer Kṛṣṇa a little water with love, without asking for a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer With Love, Not for ProfitThis 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 10.83.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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