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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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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
10.84.3410.84.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.35

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 10.84.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हार एष साधु निरूपित: ।

यच्छ्रद्धया यजेद् विष्णुं सर्वयज्ञेश्वरं मखै: ॥ ३५ ॥

karmaṇā karma-nirhāra

eṣa sādhu-nirūpitaḥ

yac chraddhayā yajed viṣṇuṁ

sarva-yajñeśvaraṁ makhaiḥ

Translation

[The sages said:] It has been definitely concluded that work is counteracted by further work when one executes Vedic sacrifices as a means of worshiping Viṣṇu, the Lord of all sacrifices, with sincere faith.

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.

Worship Viṣṇu With Sincere Faith

  1. 1

    The sages give a definite conclusion: work can counteract the reactions of previous work.

  2. 2

    They specify Vedic sacrifices performed as worship of Viṣṇu, the Lord of all sacrifices.

  3. 3

    Sincere faith is essential to the worship they describe. Their instruction centers the activity on Viṣṇu, not merely on performing work.

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:

The sages replied, “By worshiping the Supreme Lord, Hari, through the performance of Vedic sacrifices, you will become free from the bondage of fruitive work.” Vasudeva then requested the sages to act as his priests, and he arranged for Vedic sacrifices to be performed with superexcellent paraphernalia.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.84
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karmaṇāby activity
  2. karmaof the reactions of past actions
  3. nirhāraḥthe counteraction
  4. eṣaḥthis
  5. sādhucorrectly
  6. nirūpitaḥascertained
  7. yatthat
  8. śraddhayāwith faith
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “worshiping”, “worship”

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

Is sincere worship of the Lord central to my religious activity?

Practice

Offer a brief, sincere prayer to Viṣṇu today, acknowledging Him as the Lord of all sacrifices.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Viṣṇu With Sincere FaithThis 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 10.84.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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