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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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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
10.84.3910.84.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.40

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

त्वं त्वद्य मुक्तो द्वाभ्यां वै ऋषिपित्रोर्महामते ।

यज्ञैर्देवर्णमुन्मुच्य निर्ऋणोऽशरणो भव ॥ ४० ॥

tvaṁ tv adya mukto dvābhyāṁ vai

ṛṣi-pitror mahā-mate

yajñair devarṇam unmucya

nirṛṇo ’śaraṇo bhava

Translation

But you, O magnanimous soul, are already free from two of your debts — those to the sages and the forefathers. Now absolve yourself of your debt to the demigods by executing Vedic sacrifices, and in this way free yourself completely of debt and renounce all material shelter.

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.

Fulfill Obligations and Renounce Material Shelter

  1. 1

    The sages tell their magnanimous listener that he is already free from his debts to the sages and the forefathers.

  2. 2

    They advise him to discharge his remaining debt to the demigods by executing Vedic sacrifices.

  3. 3

    Their instruction leads toward becoming completely free of debt and renouncing all material shelter.

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. tvamyou
  2. tubut
  3. adyanow
  4. muktaḥfreed
  5. dvābhyāmfrom two (of the debts)
  6. vaicertainly
  7. ṛṣito the sages
  8. pitroḥand to the forefathers
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “renounce”, “free from”, “renouncing”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Am I approaching my responsibilities in a way that helps me loosen material dependence?

Practice

Write down one material shelter you rely on and reflect on what it would mean to loosen that dependence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFulfill Obligations and Renounce Material ShelterThis 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 10.84.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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