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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 83: Draupadī Meets the Queens of Kṛṣṇa
10.83.3810.83.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.83.39

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Lakṣmaṇāsince 10.83.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आत्मारामस्य तस्येमा वयं वै गृहदासिका: ।

सर्वसङ्गनिवृत्त्याद्धा तपसा च बभूविम ॥ ३९ ॥

ātmārāmasya tasyemā

vayaṁ vai gṛha-dāsikāḥ

sarva-saṅga-nivṛttyāddhā

tapasā ca babhūvima

Translation

Thus, by renouncing all material association and practicing austere penances, we queens have all become personal maidservants of the self-satisfied Supreme Lord.

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.

Humble Service and Love’s Power

  1. 1

    The queens describe becoming personal maidservants of the self-satisfied Supreme Lord through renouncing material association and practicing austerities.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Lakṣmaṇā felt embarrassed at speaking about herself and praised her co-wives. In humility, she described the queens as mere household servants.

  3. 3

    In fact, the queens are direct expansions of the Lord’s internal pleasure potency, hlādinī-śakti. They fully controlled Him with their love.

Key points from the purport
  • In the opinion of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Śrīmatī Lakṣmaṇā became embarrassed when she realized that she had been talking about herself, and so she spoke this verse praising her co-wives.
  • In her humility Lakṣmaṇā claimed that Kṛṣṇa’s queens, unlike ordinary wives, could not bring their husband under control, and thus they could relate to Him only as servile housekeepers.
  • In fact, however, since the Lord’s queens are direct expansions of His internal pleasure potency (hlādinī-śakti), they fully controlled Him with their 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.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 6.75

During the same incident, this verse, quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.83.39), was spoken to Draupadī by a queen of Kṛṣṇa’s named Lakṣmaṇā.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Rohiṇī-devī, representing all the other queens, explained that they were daughters of the kings defeated by Bhaumāsura. The demon had held them captive, but when Lord Kṛṣṇa killed him He had released them and married them all.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.83
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ātma-ārāmasyaof the self-satisfied
  2. tasyaHim
  3. imāḥthese
  4. vayamwe
  5. vaiindeed
  6. gṛhain the home
  7. dāsikāḥmaidservants
  8. sarvaall
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “material”, “household”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “renouncing”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.83

    In this verse: “humility”

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 might Lakṣmaṇā’s humility guide the way you speak about your own service?

Practice

Sincerely praise one person’s devotional service today without mentioning your own.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumble Service and Love’s PowerThis 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.

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