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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 85: Lord Kṛṣṇa Instructs Vasudeva and Retrieves Devakī’s Sons
10.85.3510.85.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.36

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

तयो: समानीय वरासनं मुदा

निविष्टयोस्तत्र महात्मनोस्तयो: ।

दधार पादाववनिज्य तज्जलं

सवृन्द आब्रह्म पुनद् यदम्बु ह ॥ ३६ ॥

tayoḥ samānīya varāsanaṁ mudā

niviṣṭayos tatra mahātmanos tayoḥ

dadhāra pādāv avanijya taj jalaṁ

sa-vṛnda ā-brahma punad yad ambu ha

Translation

Bali took pleasure in offering Them elevated seats. After They sat down, he washed the feet of the two Supreme Personalities. Then he took that water, which purifies the whole world even up to Lord Brahmā, and poured it upon himself and his followers.

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.

Joyful Service and Purifying Foot Water

  1. 1

    Bali happily offers elevated seats to the two Supreme Personalities.

  2. 2

    After They sit down, he washes Their feet.

  3. 3

    He pours the foot-washing water upon himself and his followers. This water purifies the whole world, even up to Lord Brahmā.

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:

King Bali greeted Them respectfully, offering Them seats of honor, worshiping Them and reciting prayers. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then requested Bali to return Devakī’s dead sons.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.85
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tayoḥfor Them
  2. samānīyabringing
  3. varaelevated
  4. āsanamseats
  5. mudāhappily
  6. niviṣṭayoḥwho took Their seats
  7. tatrathere
  8. mahā-ātmanoḥof the greatest of personalities
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “purifies”

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 I bring more joy and reverence into my service to the Lord?

Practice

Perform one small act of worship today with deliberate care and happiness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayJoyful Service and Purifying Foot WaterThis 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 10.85.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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