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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
10.85.32-3310.85.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.85.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ऋषिरुवाच

एवं सञ्चोदितौ मात्रा राम: कृष्णश्च भारत ।

सुतलं संविविशतुर्योगमायामुपाश्रितौ ॥ ३४ ॥

ṛṣir uvāca

evaṁ sañcoditau mātrā

rāmaḥ kṛṣṇaś ca bhārata

sutalaṁ saṁviviśatur

yoga-māyām upāśritau

Translation

The sage Śukadeva said: Thus entreated by Their mother, O Bhārata, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa employed Their mystic Yoga-māyā potency and entered the region of Sutala.

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.

The Lords Act Through Yoga-māyā

  1. 1

    Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa respond to Their mother’s appeal.

  2. 2

    They employ Their own mystic Yoga-māyā potency.

  3. 3

    By that potency, the two Lords enter the region of Sutala.

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:

Entreated in this way by Their mother, the two Lords went to the subterranean planet of Sutala, where They approached Bali Mahārāja. King Bali greeted Them respectfully, offering Them seats of honor, worshiping Them and reciting prayers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṛṣiḥ uvācathe sage (Śrī Śukadeva) said
  2. evamthus
  3. sañcoditauurged
  4. mātrāby Their mother
  5. rāmaḥBalarāma
  6. kṛṣṇaḥKṛṣṇa
  7. caand
  8. bhārataO descendant of Bhārata (Parīkṣit)
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: “mother”, “mother’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

What does the Lords’ response to Their mother help me appreciate about Them?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute remembering Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa responding to Their mother’s request.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lords Act Through Yoga-māyāThis 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 10.85.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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