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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
10.84.2810.84.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.29

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vasudevasince 10.84.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीवसुदेव उवाच

नमो व: सर्वदेवेभ्य ऋषय: श्रोतुमर्हथ ।

कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हारो यथा स्यान्नस्तदुच्यताम् ॥ २९ ॥

śrī-vasudeva uvāca

namo vaḥ sarva-devebhya

ṛṣayaḥ śrotum arhatha

karmaṇā karma-nirhāro

yathā syān nas tad ucyatām

Translation

Śrī Vasudeva said: Obeisances to you, the residence of all the demigods. Please hear me, O sages. Kindly tell us how the reactions of one’s work can be counteracted by further work.

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.

Respectfully Ask About Freedom From Reactions

  1. 1

    Vasudeva offered obeisances to the sages and addressed them as the residence of all the demigods.

  2. 2

    The purport confirms this description through the śruti-mantras: all demigods reside in a brāhmaṇa who knows the Veda.

  3. 3

    Vasudeva asked how the reactions of work could be counteracted by further work. He requested instruction rather than assuming he knew the answer.

Key points from the purport
  • Here Vasudeva addresses the sages as “the residence of all the demigods.”
  • His statement is confirmed in the authoritative śruti-mantras, which declare, yāvatīr vai devatās tāḥ sarvā veda-vidi brāhmaṇe vasanti: “Whatever demigods exist, all reside in a brāhmaṇa who knows the Veda.”

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 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kurukṣetra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then said, “Now our lives are successful, for we have obtained the goal of life: the audience of great sages and yoga masters, which even demigods only rarely obtain. The water at a holy place of pilgrimage and the deity forms of the gods can purify one only after a long time, but saintly sages purify just by being seen.
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-vasudevaḥ uvācaŚrī Vasudeva said
  2. namaḥobeisances
  3. vaḥto you
  4. sarvaall
  5. devebhyaḥ(who comprise) the demigods
  6. ṛṣayaḥO sages
  7. śrotum arhathaplease listen
  8. karmaṇāby material work
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “kindly”

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

What sincere question do I have about my actions and their consequences?

Practice

Write down one clear question about action and its reactions to ask when seeking spiritual guidance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespectfully Ask About Freedom From ReactionsThis 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 10.84.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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