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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 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrā, and Kṛṣṇa Blesses His Devotees
10.86.1410.86.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.15

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

यात्रामात्रं त्वहरहर्दैवादुपनमत्युत ।

नाधिकं तावता तुष्ट: क्रिया चक्रे यथोचिता: ॥ १५ ॥

yātrā-mātraṁ tv ahar ahar

daivād upanamaty uta

nādhikaṁ tāvatā tuṣṭaḥ

kriyā cakre yathocitāḥ

Translation

By the will of Providence he obtained each day just what he needed for his maintenance, and no more. Satisfied with this much, he properly executed his religious duties.

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.

Reserve Your Best for the Lord

  1. 1

    By the will of Providence, Śrutadeva received only what he needed each day. Satisfied with this, he properly performed his religious duties.

  2. 2

    An ideal Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa should work only as hard as required to meet his obligations, without unnecessary agitation for material advancement.

  3. 3

    A householder should devote the best part of his time and assets to the Supreme Lord’s service. Despite the difficulties of this age, such a life can attract Lord Kṛṣṇa’s personal attention.

Key points from the purport
  • An ideal Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa, even if encumbered by the ties of family life, should work only as hard as required to meet his obligations.
  • Without being unnecessarily agitated for material advancement, he should devote the best part of his time and assets to his higher duties in the Supreme Lord’s service.
  • If a householder can succeed in this program despite the unavoidable difficulties of this degraded age, he can expect Lord Kṛṣṇa’s personal attention, as will be seen in the case of Śrutadeva, the perfect brāhmaṇa of Mithilā.

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 86: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrā, and Kṛṣṇa Blesses His Devotees

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Still, he was always satisfied and spent all his time executing his religious duties. King Bahulāśva was another great devotee of the Lord residing in Mithilā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yātrā-mātrambare maintenance
  2. tuand
  3. ahaḥ ahaḥday after day
  4. daivātdue to his fate
  5. upanamaticame to him
  6. utaindeed
  7. na adhikamno more
  8. tāvatāwith that much
3

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “householder”, “material”

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

Does the Lord’s service receive my best time, or only what remains?

Practice

Reserve a fresh, attentive part of today for serving Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayReserve Your Best for the LordThis 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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