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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.84.15 10.84.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The great sagessince 10.84.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीमुनय ऊचु:

यन्मायया तत्त्वविदुत्तमा वयं

विमोहिता विश्वसृजामधीश्वरा: ।

यदीशितव्यायति गूढ ईहया

अहो विचित्रं भगवद्विचेष्टितम् ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-munaya ūcuḥ

yan-māyayā tattva-vid-uttamā vayaṁ

vimohitā viśva-sṛjām adhīśvarāḥ

yad īśitavyāyati gūḍha īhayā

aho vicitram bhagavad-viceṣṭitam

Translation

The great sages said: Your power of illusion has totally bewildered us, the most exalted knowers of the truth and leaders among the universal creators. Ah, how amazing is the behavior of the Supreme Lord! He covers Himself with His humanlike activities and pretends to be subject to superior control.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humanlike Activities Conceal the Lord’s Greatness

1
The sages admitted that the Lord’s power of illusion had bewildered even them, exalted knowers of the truth.
2
The Supreme Lord covers Himself with humanlike activities and pretends to be subject to superior control.
3
His words and activities bewilder even the most learned when He plays at subordinating Himself to His own servants.

Key points from the purport

The sages have characterized the Lord’s statements as inscrutable (duranvayam).
How this is so is stated here: His words and activities bewilder even the most learned when He plays at subordinating Himself to His own servants.

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

Chapter 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kurukṣetra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He covers His true identity with humanlike activities and pretends to be subject to superior control. Surely He has spoken in this way only to enlighten the general populace.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.84

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śrī-munayaḥ ūcuḥthe great sages said
yatwhose
māyayāby the power of illusion
tattvaof the truth
vitknowers
uttamāḥbest
vayamwe
vimohitāḥconfused

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
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.84
In this verse: “illusion”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Can I acknowledge the limits of my understanding when considering the Lord’s behavior?

Practice

Reflect for a minute on how the Supreme Lord can appear subordinate without losing His supremacy.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumanlike Activities Conceal the Lord’s GreatnessThis 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 10.84.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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