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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kurukṣetra
10.84.3010.84.32-33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.31

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

सन्निकर्षोऽत्र मर्त्यानामनादरणकारणम् ।

गाङ्गं हित्वा यथान्याम्भस्तत्रत्यो याति शुद्धये ॥ ३१ ॥

sannikarṣo ’tra martyānām

anādaraṇa-kāraṇam

gāṅgaṁ hitvā yathānyāmbhas

tatratyo yāti śuddhaye

Translation

In this world familiarity breeds contempt. For example, one who lives on the banks of the Ganges might travel to some other body of water to be purified.

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.

Do Not Let Familiarity Become Disregard

  1. 1

    In this world, familiarity can lead to contempt or disregard.

  2. 2

    Someone living on the banks of the Ganges may leave her waters and seek purification elsewhere.

  3. 3

    The example shows how something close at hand can be undervalued simply because it is familiar.

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. sannikarṣaḥproximity
  2. atrahere (in this world)
  3. martyānāmfor mortals
  4. anādaraṇaof disregard
  5. kāraṇama cause
  6. gāṅgam(the water) of the Ganges
  7. hitvāleaving
  8. yathāas
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “purified”, “purification”

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 sacred opportunity nearby have I begun to take for granted?

Practice

Give a few attentive minutes today to a sacred opportunity you usually overlook because it is familiar.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Let Familiarity Become DisregardThis 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 10.84.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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