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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
10.84.2910.84.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.84.30inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीनारद उवाच

नातिचित्रमिदं विप्रा वसुदेवो बुभुत्सया ।

कृष्णं मत्वार्भकं यन्न: पृच्छति श्रेय आत्मन: ॥ ३० ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

nāti-citram idaṁ viprā

vasudevo bubhutsayā

kṛṣṇam matvārbhakaṁ yan naḥ

pṛcchati śreya ātmanaḥ

Translation

Śrī Nārada Muni said: O brāhmaṇas, it is not so amazing that in his eagerness to know, Vasudeva has asked us about his ultimate benefit, for he considers Kṛṣṇa a mere boy.

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.

Remember Kṛṣṇa’s Absolute Supremacy

  1. 1

    Vasudeva asked about his ultimate benefit while treating Kṛṣṇa as a mere boy. Nārada understood that he was acting in the mood of an ordinary householder.

  2. 2

    Vasudeva had already attained spiritual goals beyond the reach of even great yogīs and ṛṣis. His question about karma-yoga did not indicate a lack of spiritual attainment.

  3. 3

    The sages wished to maintain reverence toward Kṛṣṇa rather than ignore Him and answer independently. Nārada therefore reminded everyone of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s absolute supremacy.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī relates Nārada’s thoughts: Śrī Nārada understood how Vasudeva, in line with his mood of pretending to be an ordinary householder, asked the sages about karma-yoga, although he had already attained spiritual goals even great yogīs and ṛṣis cannot achieve.
  • But Nārada was still concerned that Vasudeva might create an awkward mood by treating Lord Kṛṣṇa as a mere child in the presence of all the sages.
  • Nārada and the other sages felt obliged to maintain their attitude of reverence toward Lord Kṛṣṇa, so how could they ignore Him and presume to answer Vasudeva themselves?

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:

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-nāradaḥ uvācaŚrī Nārada said
  2. nanot
  3. ativery
  4. citramwonderful
  5. idamthis
  6. viprāḥO brāhmaṇas
  7. vasudevaḥVasudeva
  8. bubhutsayāwith the desire of learning
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “householder”

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 can I preserve reverence for Kṛṣṇa as I become more familiar with hearing about Him?

Practice

Before studying today, pause to remember that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Kṛṣṇa’s Absolute SupremacyThis 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 10.84.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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