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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
10.86.5610.86.58

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.86.57

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.86.51inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्माद् ब्रह्मऋषीनेतान् ब्रह्मन् मच्छ्रद्धयार्चय ।

एवं चेदर्चितोऽस्म्यद्धा नान्यथा भूरिभूतिभि: ॥ ५७ ॥

tasmād brahma-ṛṣīn etān

brahman mac-chraddhayārcaya

evaṁ ced arcito ’smy addhā

nānyathā bhūri-bhūtibhiḥ

Translation

Therefore you should worship these brāhmaṇa sages, O brāhmaṇa, with the same faith you have in Me. If you do so, you will worship Me directly, which you cannot do otherwise, even with offerings of vast riches.

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.

Honor the Sages With Faith

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa asks that these brāhmaṇa sages be worshiped with the same faith one has in Him.

  2. 2

    By worshiping these sages in this way, one directly worships Kṛṣṇa. Honoring them is part of serving Him.

  3. 3

    Even offerings of vast riches cannot replace this faithful worship. Wealth alone does not fulfill the Lord’s instruction.

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:

Understanding these instructions, both Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva honored the sages and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa with single-minded devotion. Lord Kṛṣṇa then returned to Dvārakā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.86
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. brahma-ṛṣīnbrāhmaṇa sages
  3. etānthese
  4. brahmanO brāhmaṇa (Śrutadeva)
  5. mat(as you have) for Me
  6. śraddhayāwith faith
  7. arcayajust worship
  8. evamthus
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”, “worshiped”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

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 giving more attention to the size of an offering than to the faith and respect behind it?

Practice

Offer respectful words of honor to the brāhmaṇa sages, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s instruction.

Live this todayHonor the Sages With FaithThis 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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