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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.47

Who is speaking and story frame

हृदिस्थोऽप्यतिदूरस्थ: कर्मविक्षिप्तचेतसाम् ।

आत्मशक्तिभिरग्राह्योऽप्यन्त्युपेतगुणात्मनाम् ॥ ४७ ॥

hṛdi-stho ’py ati-dūra-sthaḥ

karma-vikṣipta-cetasām

ātma-śaktibhir agrāhyo

’py anty upeta-guṇātmanām

Translation

But although You reside within the heart, You are very far away from those whose minds are disturbed by their entanglement in material work. Indeed, no one can grasp You by his material powers, for You reveal Yourself only in the hearts of those who have learned to appreciate Your transcendental qualities.

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.

A Pure Heart Can Know the Lord

  1. 1

    The all-merciful Lord resides in everyone’s heart, but seeing Him there requires a completely purified heart.

  2. 2

    He remains far away from those whose minds are disturbed by entanglement in material work. No one can grasp Him through material powers.

  3. 3

    God need not appear on demand during material investigations. He reveals Himself to those who appreciate His transcendental qualities.

Key points from the purport
  • Seeing Him there, however, is possible only when one’s heart is completely purified.
  • Materialists may demand that God prove His existence by coming into view as a result of their empirical investigations, but God has no need to respond to such impudence.
  • For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.”

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 10.86.47 quotesBG 7.25

As Lord Kṛṣṇa states in Bhagavad-gītā (7.25): “I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. hṛdiin the heart
  2. sthaḥsituated
  3. apialthough
  4. ativery
  5. dūra-sthaḥfar away
  6. karmaby material activities
  7. vikṣiptadisturbed
  8. cetasāmfor those whose minds
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.86

    In this verse: “purified”

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

Am I approaching the Lord with appreciation, or expecting Him to meet my demands?

Practice

Pause today to reflect appreciatively on the Lord’s mercy rather than asking Him to prove Himself.

Live this todayA Pure Heart Can Know 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 10.86.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.