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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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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kurukṣetra
10.84.1310.84.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.84.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

निशम्येत्थं भगवत: कृष्णस्याकुण्ठमेधस: ।

वचो दुरन्वयं विप्रास्तूष्णीमासन् भ्रमद्धिय: ॥ १४ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

niśamyetthaṁ bhagavataḥ

kṛṣṇasyākuṇtha-medhasaḥ

vaco duranvayaṁ viprās

tūṣṇīm āsan bhramad-dhiyaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing such unfathomable words from the unlimitedly wise Lord Kṛṣṇa, the learned brāhmaṇas remained silent, their minds bewildered.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Wisdom Exceeds Learned Understanding

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wisdom is unlimited, and His words were difficult even for the learned brāhmaṇas to comprehend.

  2. 2

    On hearing Him, the brāhmaṇas remained silent. Their learning did not prevent their minds from becoming bewildered.

  3. 3

    Their response invites humility when hearing the Supreme Lord’s words. We need not pretend to understand everything immediately.

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 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kurukṣetra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After hearing Lord Kṛṣṇa speak these words in the mood of a mere mortal, the sages remained silent for some time, bewildered. Then they said, “How amazing our Lord is!
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.84
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. niśamyahearing
  3. itthamsuch
  4. bhagavataḥof the Supreme Lord
  5. kṛṣṇasyaKṛṣṇa
  6. akuṇṭhaunrestricted
  7. medhasaḥwhose wisdom
  8. vacaḥthe words
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “wisdom”, “understand”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.84

    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 do I respond when Kṛṣṇa’s words exceed my present understanding?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly, then pause silently and acknowledge one thing you do not yet understand.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Wisdom Exceeds Learned UnderstandingThis 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 10.84.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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