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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
10.84.6110.84.63

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.62

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vasudevasince 10.84.61inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अस्मास्वप्रतिकल्पेयं यत् कृताज्ञेषु सत्तमै: ।

मैत्र्यर्पिताफला चापि न निवर्तेत कर्हिचित् ॥ ६२ ॥

asmāsv apratikalpeyaṁ

yat kṛtājñeṣu sattamaiḥ

maitry arpitāphalā cāpi

na nivarteta karhicit

Translation

Indeed, the Supreme Lord must have created the bonds of affection, for such exalted saints as you have never stopped showing matchless friendship toward us ingrates, although it has never been properly reciprocated.

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.

Saintly Friendship Continues Without Return

  1. 1

    Vasudeva sees the Supreme Lord’s hand in the bonds of affection.

  2. 2

    He honors Nanda’s exalted, saintly friendship as matchless.

  3. 3

    Vasudeva calls himself and his people ungrateful, yet acknowledges that Nanda’s friendship has never ceased despite their failure to reciprocate properly.

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:

Unable to depart because of his intense affection for his relatives, Nanda Mahārāja remained at Kurukṣetra for three months, served with reverence by the Yādavas. On one occasion, Vasudeva began to describe the deep friendship Nanda had shown him, shedding tears openly.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.84
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. asmāsuto us
  2. apratikalpāincomparable
  3. iyamthis
  4. yatsince
  5. kṛta-ajñeṣuwho are oblivious of the mercy that has been shown them
  6. sat-tamaiḥby those who are most saintly
  7. maitrīfriendship
  8. arpitāoffered
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “friendship”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “nanda’s”

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

Whose steady kindness have I received without properly acknowledging it?

Practice

Thank someone for a kindness you have previously left unacknowledged.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySaintly Friendship Continues Without ReturnThis 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 10.84.62? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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