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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
10.86.3410.86.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.35

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Bahulāśvasince 10.86.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे ।

नारायणाय ऋषये सुशान्तं तप ईयुषे ॥ ३५ ॥

namas tubhyaṁ bhagavate

kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭha-medhase

nārāyaṇāya ṛṣaye

su-śāntaṁ tapa īyuṣe

Translation

Obeisances to You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose intelligence is ever unrestricted. Obeisances to the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa, who always undergoes austerities in perfect peace.

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.

The Lord’s Presence Strengthens Our Intelligence

  1. 1

    The King offers obeisances to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose intelligence is unrestricted, and to the peaceful sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa.

  2. 2

    Contact with the Supreme Lord can free anyone from misconceptions and doubts. The King hoped Kṛṣṇa’s presence would strengthen his intelligence against material desires.

  3. 3

    The King prayed that Kṛṣṇa would remain in his home for some days. Knowing the Lord’s inclination toward peace and simplicity, he hoped the Lord would favor his simple home.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that the King offered these prayers to encourage Lord Kṛṣṇa to remain at his home for some days.
  • The King thought, “Since contact with the Supreme Lord can free anyone from misconceptions and doubts, Kṛṣṇa’s presence in my home will fortify my intelligence so that I can withstand the onslaughts of material desires.
  • Since Lord Kṛṣṇa’s propensity is toward peace and simplicity, He will certainly prefer my simple home to the excessive opulence of Dvārakā.”

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. namaḥobeisances
  2. tubhyamto You
  3. bhagavatethe Supreme Lord
  4. kṛṣṇāyaKṛṣṇa
  5. akuṇṭhaunconstricted
  6. medhasewhose intelligence
  7. nārāyaṇāya ṛṣayeto the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa
  8. su-śāntamperfectly peaceful
  9. tapaḥausterities
  10. īyuṣeundergoing
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “favor”

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

Which material desire would I like help in withstanding?

Practice

Offer obeisances to Kṛṣṇa and ask Him to strengthen your intelligence against one material desire.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Presence Strengthens Our IntelligenceThis 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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