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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 87: The Prayers of the Personified Vedas
10.87.3210.87.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.87.33

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

विजितहृषीकवायुभिरदान्तमनस्तुरगं

य इह यतन्ति यन्तुमतिलोलमुपायखिद: ।

व्यसनशतान्विता: समवहाय गुरोश्चरणं

वणिज इवाज सन्त्यकृतकर्णधरा जलधौ ॥ ३३ ॥

vijita-hṛṣīka-vāyubhir adānta-manas tura-gaṁ

ya iha yatanti yantum ati-lolam upāya-khidaḥ

vyasana-śatānvitāḥ samavahāya guroś caraṇaṁ

vaṇija ivāja santy akṛta-karṇa-dharā jaladhau

Translation

The mind is like an impetuous horse that even persons who have regulated their senses and breath cannot control. Those in this world who try to tame the uncontrolled mind, but who abandon the feet of their spiritual master, encounter hundreds of obstacles in their cultivation of various distressful practices. O unborn Lord, they are like merchants on a boat in the ocean who have failed to employ a helmsman.

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.

Accept Guidance to Steady the Mind

  1. 1

    The rebellious mind is subdued by replacing attachment to sense gratification with a higher taste for spiritual life. This higher taste comes through the favor of the spiritual master.

  2. 2

    Even control of the senses and breath cannot fully cleanse material desires without devotion. Abandoning the spiritual master leaves one like merchants at sea without a competent helmsman.

  3. 3

    A humble, steadfast devotee of Lord Viṣṇu and the Vaiṣṇavas can overcome the stubborn mind. One who takes human life seriously seeks a spiritual master who can guide him in Kṛṣṇa consciousness toward love of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • But only by the favor of the representative of Godhead, the spiritual master, can one gain this higher taste.
  • It must be spoken by an exceptionally qualified spiritual master to a knowledgeable disciple.”
  • Therefore the first business of one who takes human life seriously is to find out a spiritual master who can guide him in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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 10.87.33 quotesSB 10.51.60

Thus, O King, material desires are again seen to arise in their minds.”

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:

Sanandana told them how the numerous personified Vedas, appearing as the first emanations from the breathing of Lord Nārāyaṇa, recited prayers for His glorification just before the creation. Sanandana then proceeded to recite these elaborate prayers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.87
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vijitaconquered
  2. hṛṣīkawith senses
  3. vāyubhiḥand vital air
  4. adāntanot brought under control
  5. manaḥthe mind
  6. tura-gam(which is like) a horse
  7. yethose who
  8. ihain this world
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 10.87

    In this verse: “attachment”, “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “distressful”

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

Where am I relying only on my own strength instead of humbly seeking spiritual guidance?

Practice

Read one instruction from the spiritual master in this purport and choose one way to follow it today.

Live this todayAccept Guidance to Steady the MindThis 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 10.87.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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