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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 84: The Sages’ Teachings at Kurukṣetra
10.84.6210.84.64

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.84.63

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vasudevasince 10.84.61inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रागकल्पाच्च कुशलं भ्रातर्वो नाचराम हि ।

अधुना श्रीमदान्धाक्षा न पश्याम: पुर: सत: ॥ ६३ ॥

prāg akalpāc ca kuśalaṁ

bhrātar vo nācarāma hi

adhunā śrī-madāndhākṣā

na paśyāmaḥ puraḥ sataḥ

Translation

Previously, dear brother, we did nothing to benefit you because we were unable to, yet even now that you are present before us, our eyes are so blinded by the intoxication of material good fortune that we continue to ignore you.

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.

Material Fortune Can Blind Our Care

  1. 1

    Under Kaṁsa’s tyranny, Vasudeva could not help Nanda and his subjects defend themselves against the demons sent from Mathurā.

  2. 2

    Those demons had been sent to kill Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

  3. 3

    Vasudeva now laments that material good fortune has blinded him. Though Nanda stands before him, he says he continues to neglect him.

Key points from the purport
  • While living under the tyranny of Kaṁsa, Vasudeva was unable to do anything to help Nanda and his subjects defend themselves against the many demons sent from Mathurā to kill Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

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:

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. prākpreviously
  2. akalpātbecause of incapacity
  3. caand
  4. kuśalamwelfare
  5. bhrātaḥO brother
  6. vaḥyour
  7. na ācarāmawe did not carry out
  8. hiindeed
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.84

    In this verse: “laments”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “nanda”

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

Has comfort made me overlook someone I am now able to help?

Practice

Notice one neglected need of someone close to you and offer a small, practical help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.84's connections

Live this todayMaterial Fortune Can Blind Our CareThis 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 10.84.63? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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