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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
10.86.1710.86.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.86.13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नारदो वामदेवोऽत्रि: कृष्णो रामोऽसितोऽरुणि: ।

अहं बृहस्पति: कण्वो मैत्रेयश्‍च्यवनादय: ॥ १८ ॥

nārado vāmadevo ’triḥ

kṛṣṇo rāmo ’sito ’ruṇiḥ

ahaṁ bṛhaspatiḥ kaṇvo

maitreyaś cyavanādayaḥ

Translation

Among these sages were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Paraśurāma, Asita, Aruṇi, myself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya and Cyavana.

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.

Sages Accompany the Lord

  1. 1

    Nārada, Vāmadeva and Atri were among the sages accompanying the Lord.

  2. 2

    The company also included Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Paraśurāma, Asita and Aruṇi.

  3. 3

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī included himself among them, along with Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya and Cyavana.

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:

Pleased with the devotional attitude of both these great souls, Lord Kṛṣṇa went on His chariot to Mithilā to visit them, taking along Nārada and several other learned sages. The people of Mithilā greeted the Lord and His saintly entourage with great delight.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāradaḥ vāmadevaḥ atriḥthe sages Nārada, Vāmadeva and Atri
  2. kṛṣṇaḥKṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa
  3. rāmaḥLord Paraśurāma
  4. asitaḥ aruṇiḥAsita and Aruṇi
  5. ahamI (Śukadeva)
  6. bṛhaspatiḥ kaṇvaḥBṛhaspati and Kaṇva
  7. maitreyaḥMaitreya
  8. cyavanaCyavana
  9. ādayaḥand others
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

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 stands out to me about this gathering of sages accompanying the Lord?

Practice

Read the list of sages aloud once, thoughtfully noting their association with the Lord.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.86's connections

Live this todaySages Accompany 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.86.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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