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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 87: The Prayers of the Personified Vedas
10.87.1510.87.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.87.16

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The śrutissince 10.87.14inside 5 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārāyaṇa Ṛṣi → Nārada MuniSanandana Kumāra → the sages of JanalokaThe personified Vedas → the Supreme Lord

इति तव सूरयस्‍त्र्यधिपतेऽखिललोकमल-क्षपणकथामृताब्धिमवगाह्य तपांसि जहु: । किमुत पुन: स्वधामविधुताशयकालगुणा:परम भजन्ति ये पदमजस्रसुखानुभवम् ॥ १६ ॥

iti tava sūrayas try-adhipate ’khila-loka-mala-

kṣapaṇa-kathāmṛtābdhim avagāhya tapāṁsi jahuḥ

kim uta punaḥ sva-dhāma-vidhutāśaya-kāla-guṇāḥ

parama bhajanti ye padam ajasra-sukhānubhavam

Translation

Therefore, O master of the three worlds, the wise get rid of all misery by diving deep into the nectarean ocean of topics about You, which washes away all the contamination of the universe. Then what to speak of those who, having by spiritual strength rid their minds of bad habits and freed themselves from time, are able to worship Your true nature, O supreme one, finding within it uninterrupted bliss?

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.

Immerse Yourself in the Lord’s Glories

  1. 1

    Because the Vedas declare the Personality of Godhead supreme and the cause of all causes, thoughtful persons should worship Him. Hearing and chanting His glories loosen attachment to materialistic life and help dispel distress.

  2. 2

    Mature devotees immerse themselves fully in the ocean of the Lord’s glories. Reciprocating their sincere endeavors, He empowers them to realize His personal form.

  3. 3

    Remembering the Lord’s intimate pastimes frees devotees from subtle mental contamination. Devotional service purifies them, and worship of the Supreme Lord brings eternal happiness.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, in the previous verse those śrutis whose presentation of the Supreme Truth may seem impersonal clarified their true purpose.
  • Beyond these devotees are the sūris, connoisseurs of spiritual truth, who honor the nectarean ocean of the Supreme Lord’s glories by immersing themselves fully within it.
  • Thus by remembering Your lotus feet, they are freed from material distress.”

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

Awe → Reverent fulfillment. The canto closes with theological wonder.

Chapters 87–90 of Canto 10: The Vedas praise and the Lord's glories conclude. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 87: The Prayers of the Personified Vedas

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The residents of Janaloka were perfectly satisfied upon hearing Sanandana recite the prayers of the personified Vedas, which enlightened them about the true nature of the Supreme Absolute Truth, and they honored Sanandana with their worship. Nārada Muni was equally satisfied to hear this account from Śrī Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.87
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. tavaYour
  3. sūrayaḥwise saints
  4. triof the three (planetary systems of the universe, or the three modes of nature)
  5. adhipateO master
  6. akhilaof all
  7. lokathe worlds
  8. malathe contamination
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “worship”, “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “contamination”, “purifies”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “attachment”, “materialistic”

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

How can I give more attentive time to hearing about the Lord rather than feeding material attachments?

Practice

Spend five quiet minutes reading this verse and purport, then recall one of the Lord’s qualities described there.

Live this todayImmerse Yourself in the Lord’s GloriesThis 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 10.87.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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