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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 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons
10.85.2210.85.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.23

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

अहं यूयमसावार्य इमे च द्वारकौकस: ।

सर्वेऽप्येवं यदुश्रेष्ठ विमृग्या: सचराचरम् ॥ २३ ॥

ahaṁ yūyam asāv ārya

ime ca dvārakāukasaḥ

sarve ’py evaṁ yadu-śreṣṭha

vimṛgyāḥ sa-carācaram

Translation

Not only I, but also you, along with My respected brother and these residents of Dvārakā, should all be considered in this same philosophical light, O best of the Yadus. Indeed, we should include all that exists, both moving and nonmoving.

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.

Oneness Does Not Erase Divine Distinction

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa includes His father, His brother, the residents of Dvārakā, and all moving and nonmoving things in this philosophical consideration. He stresses oneness to protect His parents’ intimate love from overwhelming awe.

  2. 2

    Oneness does not mean that all variety disappears. All things are one with God as His dependent expansions, while the Supreme retains His unique qualities.

  3. 3

    The Supreme alone is the source of all pleasure. Authoritative Vaiṣṇava commentators reconcile statements of oneness and difference rather than dismissing either.

Key points from the purport
  • To protect His parents’ intimate relationship with Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa stresses the oneness of all existence in this statement to His father, Vasudeva.
  • But his sense of awe was ruining his intimate parental relationship with Kṛṣṇa, and therefore Kṛṣṇa wanted to dispel it.
  • We should not misunderstand the “oneness” Lord Kṛṣṇa speaks of here.

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:

She said, “Please fulfill my desire in the same way. Please bring back my sons who were killed by Kaṁsa so I may see them once again.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahamI
  2. yūyamyou
  3. asauHe
  4. āryaḥMy respected brother (Balarāma)
  5. imethese
  6. caand
  7. dvārakā-okasaḥinhabitants of Dvārakā
  8. sarveall
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “philosophical”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “love”

  • 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 does seeing everything as dependent on God differ from thinking that everything is identical to Him?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining that all things depend on the Supreme, yet He retains His unique qualities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOneness Does Not Erase Divine DistinctionThis 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 10.85.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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