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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
10.86.3110.86.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Bahulāśvasince 10.86.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स्ववचस्तद‍ृतं कर्तुमस्मद्‌दृग्गोचरो भवान् ।

यदात्थैकान्तभक्तान् मे नानन्त: श्रीरज: प्रिय: ॥ ३२ ॥

sva-vacas tad ṛtaṁ kartum

asmad-dṛg-gocaro bhavān

yad ātthaikānta-bhaktān me

nānantaḥ śrīr ajaḥ priyaḥ

Translation

You have said, “Neither Ananta, Goddess Śrī nor unborn Brahmā is dearer to Me than My unalloyed devotee.” To prove Your own words true, You have now revealed Yourself to our eyes.

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.

The Unalloyed Devotee Is Deeply Dear

  1. 1

    Bahulāśva recalls the Lord’s statement that neither Ananta, Goddess Śrī nor unborn Brahmā is dearer to Him than His unalloyed devotee.

  2. 2

    The statement reveals how dear a devotee with undivided devotion is to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Bahulāśva understands that the Lord has revealed Himself to their eyes to prove His own words true.

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:

King Bahulāśva was another great devotee of the Lord residing in Mithilā. A member of the dynasty in which King Janaka had appeared, Bahulāśva ruled over the whole province of Videha, yet he remained as detached from material wealth as Śrutadeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. svaYour own
  2. vacaḥstatement
  3. tatthat
  4. ṛtamtrue
  5. kartumto make
  6. asmatour
  7. dṛkto the eyes
  8. gocaraḥaccessible
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotion”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “understands”

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 would it mean for me to serve the Lord with more undivided attention?

Practice

Give one small act of devotional service your full attention today.

Live this todayThe Unalloyed Devotee Is Deeply DearThis 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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