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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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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 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons
10.85.2110.85.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.22

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.85.22inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीभगवानुवाच

वचो व: समवेतार्थं तातैतदुपमन्महे ।

यन्न: पुत्रान् समुद्दिश्य तत्त्वग्राम उदाहृत: ॥ २२ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

vaco vaḥ samavetārthaṁ

tātaitad upamanmahe

yan naḥ putrān samuddiśya

tattva-grāma udāhṛtaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Lord said: My dear Father, I consider your statements appropriate, since you have explained the various categories of existence by referring to Us, your sons.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Gratefully Accepts His Father’s Words

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa addresses Vasudeva affectionately as His father and considers his statements appropriate.

  2. 2

    Vasudeva had explained the various categories of existence by referring to his sons.

  3. 3

    Although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa takes the role of Vasudeva’s dependent son. He expresses gratitude for His father’s instructive words.

Key points from the purport
  • Posing as Vasudeva’s dependent son, Lord Kṛṣṇa expresses gratitude for His father’s edifying instructions.

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 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Having heard the visiting sages glorify Kṛṣṇa, Vasudeva ceased to regard Him and Balarāma as his sons and began praising Their omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After glorifying his sons, Vasudeva fell at Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet and begged Him to drive away the conception that the Lord was his son.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Personality of Godhead said
  2. vacaḥwords
  3. vaḥyour
  4. samavetaappropriate
  5. arthamwhose meaning
  6. tātaO Father
  7. etatthese
  8. upamanmaheI consider
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “father”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s example help you receive helpful instruction with gratitude?

Practice

Thank someone today for a helpful instruction you have received.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Gratefully Accepts His Father’s WordsThis 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 10.85.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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