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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
10.86.2210.86.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.23

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

द‍ृष्ट्वा त उत्तम:श्लोकं प्रीत्युत्फुलाननाशया: ।

कैर्धृताञ्जलिभिर्नेमु: श्रुतपूर्वांस्तथा मुनीन् ॥ २३ ॥

dṛṣṭvā ta uttamaḥ-ślokaṁ

prīty-utphulānanāśayāḥ

kair dhṛtāñjalibhir nemuḥ

śruta-pūrvāṁs tathā munīn

Translation

As soon as the people saw Lord Uttamaḥśloka, their faces and hearts blossomed with affection. Joining their palms above their heads, they bowed down to the Lord and to the sages accompanying Him, whom they had previously only heard about.

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.

Affection Blossoms into Reverence

  1. 1

    Seeing Lord Uttamaḥśloka, the people's faces and hearts blossomed with affection.

  2. 2

    They joined their palms above their heads and bowed down to the Lord.

  3. 3

    They also bowed to the sages accompanying Him, whom they had previously only heard about.

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:

Bearing various gifts for Kṛṣṇa, they bowed down and offered obeisances to both Him and the sages. Bahulāśva and Śrutadeva both stepped forward and respectfully requested Śrī Kṛṣṇa to visit their homes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  2. tethey
  3. uttamaḥ-ślokamLord Kṛṣṇa, who is praised in sublime poetry
  4. prītiwith love
  5. utphullabroadly blossoming
  6. ānanatheir faces
  7. āśayāḥand hearts
  8. kaiḥon their heads
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “heard”

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

How can my outward gestures of respect express heartfelt affection?

Practice

Join your palms and bow to the Lord today, taking a moment to express affection and respect.

Live this todayAffection Blossoms into ReverenceThis 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 10.86.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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