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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
10.84.3610.84.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.37

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

अयं स्वस्त्ययन: पन्था द्विजातेर्गृहमेधिन: ।

यच्छ्रद्धयाप्तवित्तेन शुक्लेनेज्येत पूरुष: ॥ ३७ ॥

ayaṁ svasty-ayanaḥ panthā

dvi-jāter gṛha-medhinaḥ

yac chraddhayāpta-vittena

śuklenejyeta pūruṣaḥ

Translation

This is the most auspicious path for a religious householder of the twice-born orders — to selflessly worship the Personality of Godhead with wealth honestly obtained.

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.

Worship Selflessly With Honestly Obtained Wealth

  1. 1

    The most auspicious path for a religious householder of the twice-born orders is to worship the Personality of Godhead selflessly, using honestly obtained wealth.

  2. 2

    Śrīdhara Svāmī and Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī agree that Vedic sacrificial rituals are particularly meant for attached householders.

  3. 3

    Those already renounced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness need only cultivate faith in the Lord’s devotees, Deity form, name, food remnants and teachings. These teachings are given in Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Key points from the purport
  • Both Śrīdhara Svāmī and Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī here agree that the ritual karma of Vedic sacrifices is particularly meant for attached householders.
  • Those who are already renounced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, like Vasudeva himself, need only cultivate their faith in the Lord’s devotees, His Deity form, His name, the remnants of His food and His teachings, as given in Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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:

The sages continued to glorify the Lord as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul, and the friend and worshiper of the brāhmaṇas. After the sages had praised Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa offered them His obeisances, and they begged His permission to return to their hermitages.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.84
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayamthis
  2. svastiauspiciousness
  3. ayanaḥbringing
  4. panthāthe path
  5. dvi-jāteḥfor one who is twice-born (being a member of one of the three higher social orders)
  6. gṛhaat home
  7. medhinaḥwho performs sacrifices
  8. yatthat
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “householder”, “wealth”, “attached”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”, “devotees”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “religious”

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 use what I honestly possess for selfless worship rather than personal gain?

Practice

Spend a few minutes reading Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to cultivate faith in the Lord’s teachings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Selflessly With Honestly Obtained WealthThis 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 10.84.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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