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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 10.87.23

Who is speaking and story frame

निभृतमरुन्मनोऽक्षद‍ृढयोगयुजो हृदि य-

न्मुनय उपासते तदरयोऽपि ययु: स्मरणात् ।

स्‍त्रिय उरगेन्द्रभोगभुजदण्डविषक्तधियो

वयमपि ते समा: समद‍ृशोऽङ्‍‍घ्रिसरोजसुधा: ॥ २३ ॥

nibhṛta-marun-mano-’kṣa-dṛḍha-yoga-yujo hṛdi yan

munaya upāsate tad arayo ’pi yayuḥ smaraṇāt

striya uragendra-bhoga-bhuja-daṇḍa-viṣakta-dhiyo

vayam api te samāḥ sama-dṛśo ’ṅghri-saroja-sudhāḥ

Translation

Simply by constantly thinking of Him, the enemies of the Lord attained the same Supreme Truth whom sages fixed in yoga worship by controlling their breath, mind and senses. Similarly, we śrutis, who generally see You as all-pervading, will achieve the same nectar from Your lotus feet that Your consorts are able to relish because of their loving attraction to Your mighty, serpentine arms, for You look upon us and Your consorts in the same way.

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.

Remember Kṛṣṇa With Loving Surrender

  1. 1

    Sages approach the Lord through prolonged control of breath, mind and senses. Even enemies absorbed in remembering Kṛṣṇa attained liberation when He killed them.

  2. 2

    The personified Vedas desire more than liberation: they wish to develop love of Godhead by following the favorable surrender of Kṛṣṇa’s confidential devotees. The gopīs of Vraja exhibit the highest perfection of meditation.

  3. 3

    Remembering Kṛṣṇa purifies the heart and awakens desires to serve Him. Hearing from a qualified spiritual master, humbly serving him and pondering his instructions lead to firm meditation on the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • But the same objective achieved in this difficult and uncertain way was also attained by the demons who were killed by Lord Kṛṣṇa during His pastimes on the earth.
  • The idea here is that one should realize the Supreme Self as directly visible in His full personality by the following means: First one should hear the instructions of a qualified representative of the Paramātmā and take the words of such a spiritual master into one’s heart by offering him humble service and striving in all ways to please him.
  • To that person the Supreme Soul reveals His personal form.”

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

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 8.224

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.87.23) spoken by the śrutis, the personified Vedas.

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

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. nibhṛtabrought under control
  2. marutwith breathing
  3. manaḥmind
  4. akṣaand senses
  5. dṛḍha-yogain steadfast yoga
  6. yujaḥengaged
  7. hṛdiin the heart
  8. yatwhich
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”, “devotees”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “love”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 make my remembrance of Kṛṣṇa an expression of loving service?

Practice

Spend two quiet minutes remembering Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet and praying for the desire to serve Him.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Live this todayRemember Kṛṣṇa With Loving SurrenderThis 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 10.87.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.