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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
10.85.3610.85.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.37

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

समर्हयामास स तौ विभूतिभि-

र्महार्हवस्‍त्राभरणानुलेपनै: ।

ताम्बूलदीपामृतभक्षणादिभि:

स्वगोत्रवित्तात्मसमर्पणेन च ॥ ३७ ॥

samarhayām āsa sa tau vibhūtibhir

mahārha-vastrābharaṇānulepanaiḥ

tāmbūla-dīpāmṛta-bhakṣaṇādibhiḥ

sva-gotra-vittātma-samarpaṇena ca

Translation

He worshiped Them with all the riches at his disposal — priceless clothing, ornaments, fragrant sandalwood paste, betel nut, lamps, sumptuous food and so on. Thus he offered Them all his family’s wealth, and also his own self.

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.

Self-Surrender Is the Culmination of Devotion

  1. 1

    Bali Mahārāja worships the Lords with all his family’s wealth and also offers himself. His devotional attitude is the perfect example of complete self-surrender.

  2. 2

    When Lord Viṣṇu approached him for charity as a young brāhmaṇa student, Bali offered everything he possessed. With nothing more to offer, he surrendered himself as the Supreme Lord’s eternal servant.

  3. 3

    Ātma-samarpaṇam, the last of the nine standard processes of devotional service, is the culmination toward which every endeavor should aim. Without humbly understanding oneself as the Lord’s servant, displays of wealth, power or intelligence are only a presumptuous show.

Key points from the purport
  • Bali Mahārāja’s devotional attitude is renowned as the perfect example of complete self-surrender.
  • When Lord Viṣṇu in the guise of a young brāhmaṇa student approached him for charity, Bali offered all he possessed, and when he had nothing more to offer, he surrendered himself as the Supreme Lord’s eternal servant.
  • If one tries to impress the Lord with wealth, power, intelligence and so on but fails to humbly understand oneself to be His servant, one’s so-called devotion is only a presumptuous show.

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:

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. samarhayām āsaworshiped
  2. saḥhe
  3. tauThem
  4. vibhūtibhiḥwith his riches
  5. mahā-arhagreatly valuable
  6. vastrawith garments
  7. ābharaṇaornaments
  8. anulepanaiḥand fragrant pastes
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotional service”, “worships”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “surrendered”

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

Am I trying to impress the Lord, or learning to serve Him humbly?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and say, “I am Your servant; let this be for Your service.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySelf-Surrender Is the Culmination of DevotionThis 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 10.85.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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