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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
10.87.3610.87.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.87.37

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

न यदिदमग्र आस न भविष्यदतो निधना-

दनुमितमन्तरा त्वयि विभाति मृषैकरसे ।

अत उपमीयते द्रविणजातिविकल्पपथै-

र्वितथमनोविलासमृतमित्यवयन्त्यबुधा: ॥ ३७ ॥

na yad idam agra āsa na bhaviṣyad ato nidhanād

anu mitam antarā tvayi vibhāti mṛṣaika-rase

ata upamīyate draviṇa-jāti-vikalpa-pathair

vitatha-mano-vilāsam ṛtam ity avayanty abudhāḥ

Translation

Since this universe did not exist prior to its creation and will no longer exist after its annihilation, we conclude that in the interim it is nothing more than a manifestation imagined to be visible within You, whose spiritual enjoyment never changes. We liken this universe to the transformation of various material substances into diverse forms. Certainly those who believe that this figment of the imagination is substantially real are less intelligent.

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.

Temporary Forms Depend on the Eternal Lord

  1. 1

    This world is called unreal because it is temporary. Before creation and after dissolution, the Supreme Lord, His abode and His entourage continue to exist.

  2. 2

    Objects made from clay or metal differ from their basic substance only in name and form. Similarly, the things of this world are transformations of the Lord’s energies, not ultimately separate from Him.

  3. 3

    There is no convincing evidence that material forms are eternal or substantial. Wisdom means recognizing their temporary nature rather than treating them as lasting reality.

Key points from the purport
  • Having thus defeated all attempts of the ritualists to prove the substantial reality of material creation, the personified Vedas now present positive evidence to the contrary — that this world is unreal in that it is temporary.
  • Before the creation of the universe and after its dissolution, only the spiritual reality of the Supreme Lord, along with His abode and entourage, continue to exist.
  • The existence of transformed products is only a creation of language, a matter of assigning designations: the clay alone is real.”

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:

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. nanot
  2. yatbecause
  3. idamthis (universe)
  4. agrein the beginning
  5. āsaexisted
  6. na bhaviṣyatit will not exist
  7. ataḥhence
  8. nidhanāt anuafter its annihilation
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “wisdom”

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

Which temporary thing am I treating as though it could give me lasting security?

Practice

Look at one clay or metal object today. Reflect on how its form can change, while the Supreme Lord’s spiritual existence continues.

Live this todayTemporary Forms Depend on the Eternal 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.

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