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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.42

Who is speaking and story frame

स तर्कयामास कुतो ममान्वभूत्

गृहान्धकूपे पतितस्य सङ्गम: ।

य: सर्वतीर्थास्पदपादरेणुभि:

कृष्णेन चास्यात्मनिकेतभूसुरै: ॥ ४२ ॥

sa tarkayām āsa kuto mamānv abhūt

gṛhāndha-kūpe patitasya saṅgamaḥ

yaḥ sarva-tīrthāspada-pāda-reṇubhiḥ

kṛṣṇena cāsyātma-niketa-bhūsuraiḥ

Translation

He wondered: How is it that I, fallen into the blind well of family life, have been able to meet Lord Kṛṣṇa? And how have I also been allowed to meet these great brāhmaṇas, who always carry the Lord within their hearts? Indeed, the dust of their feet is the shelter of all holy places.

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.

Wonder at the Gift of Holy Association

  1. 1

    He considers himself fallen into the blind well of family life and wonders how he has been able to meet Lord Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    He also marvels at meeting the great brāhmaṇas, who always carry the Lord within their hearts.

  3. 3

    He recognizes the dust of their feet as the shelter of all holy places.

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:

They each worshiped Him suitably, offered prayers, washed His feet and then sprinkled themselves and all their family members with the wash water. Lord Kṛṣṇa then praised the sages who were with Him and glorified brāhmaṇas in general.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. tarkayām āsatried to understand
  3. kutaḥfor what reason
  4. mamafor me
  5. anuindeed
  6. abhūthas happened
  7. gṛhaof home
  8. andhablind
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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Do I regard opportunities to meet those who carry the Lord in their hearts with gratitude and wonder?

Practice

Spend a quiet moment remembering one opportunity you have had to associate with a devotee, and express gratitude for it.

Live this todayWonder at the Gift of Holy AssociationThis 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 10.86.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.