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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
10.85.3710.85.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.85.38

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

स इन्द्रसेनो भगवत्पदाम्बुजं

बिभ्रन्मुहु: प्रेमविभिन्नया धिया ।

उवाच हानन्दजलाकुलेक्षण:

प्रहृष्टरोमा नृप गद्गदाक्षरम् ॥ ३८ ॥

sa indraseno bhagavat-padāmbujaṁ

bibhran muhuḥ prema-vibhinnayā dhiyā

uvāca hānanda-jalākulekṣaṇaḥ

prahṛṣṭa-romā nṛpa gadgadākṣaram

Translation

Taking hold of the Lords’ lotus feet again and again, Bali, the conqueror of Indra’s army, spoke from his heart, which was melting out of his intense love. O King, as tears of ecstasy filled his eyes and the hair on his limbs stood on end, he began to speak with faltering words.

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.

Love Makes Bali’s Heart Melt

  1. 1

    Bali repeatedly grasps the Lords’ lotus feet, his heart melting with intense love.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda describes him holding the Lord’s lotus feet to his chest and sometimes placing them upon his head, feeling transcendental bliss.

  3. 3

    Tears of love and affection fill his eyes, and his bodily hairs stand on end. He begins speaking from his heart with faltering words.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this scene as follows in Kṛṣṇa: “King Bali was feeling such transcendental pleasure that he repeatedly grasped the Lord’s lotus feet and kept them on his chest; and sometimes he put them on the top of his head, and in this way he was feeling transcendental bliss.
  • Tears of love and affection began to flow down from his eyes, and all his bodily hairs stood on end.”

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:

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. saḥhe
  2. indra-senaḥBali, who conquered the army of Indra
  3. bhagavatof the Supreme Lords
  4. pāda-ambujamthe lotus feet
  5. bibhrattaking hold of
  6. muhuḥrepeatedly
  7. premaout of love
  8. vibhinnayāwhich was melting
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstasy”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.85

    In this verse: “king”

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 Bali’s heartfelt response teach me about loving devotion?

Practice

Offer a few sincere words to the Lord today, reflecting on Bali’s love for His lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove Makes Bali’s Heart MeltThis 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 10.85.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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