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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrā, and Kṛṣṇa Blesses His Devotees

10.86.13 10.86.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.14

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.86.13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स उवास विदेहेषु मिथिलायां गृहाश्रमी ।

अनीहयागताहार्यनिर्वर्तितनिजक्रिय: ॥ १४ ॥

sa uvāsa videheṣu

mithilāyāṁ gṛhāśramī

anīhayāgatāhārya-

nirvartita-nija-kriyaḥ

Translation

Living as a religious householder in the city of Mithilā, within the kingdom of Videha, he managed to fulfill his obligations while maintaining himself with whatever sustenance easily came his way.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Simple Living With Faithful Duties

1
Śrutadeva lived as a religious householder in Mithilā, within the kingdom of Videha.
2
He maintained himself with whatever sustenance easily came his way.
3
His simple maintenance did not prevent him from fulfilling his obligations.

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

Chapter 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrā, and Kṛṣṇa Blesses His Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

There was a brāhmaṇa devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s named Śrutadeva, who lived in the city of Mithilā. By the will of Providence, he could earn only barely enough to keep himself and his family alive.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.86

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

saḥhe
uvāsadwelled
videheṣuin the kingdom of Videha
mithilāyāmin the city of Mithilā
gṛha-āśramīas a member of the regulated order of family life
anīhayāwithout endeavor
āgatacame to him
āhāryaby food and other means of sustenance

Key ideas in this verse

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

Manvantara · The change of Manus
What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.86
In this verse: “householder”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.86
In this verse: “religious”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.86
In this verse: “kingdom”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I simplify my needs while still meeting my responsibilities?

Practice

Fulfill one household responsibility today using what you already have.

Live this todaySimple Living With Faithful DutiesThis 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.

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