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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.87.39

Who is speaking and story frame

यदि न समुद्धरन्ति यतयो हृदि कामजटा

दुरधिगमोऽसतां हृदि गतोऽस्मृतकण्ठमणि: ।

असुतृपयोगिनामुभयतोऽप्यसुखं भगव-

न्ननपगतान्तकादनधिरूढपदाद् भवत: ॥ ३९ ॥

yadi na samuddharanti yatayo hṛdi kāma-jaṭā

duradhigamo ’satāṁ hṛdi gato ’smṛta-kaṇṭha-maṇiḥ

asu-tṛpa-yoginām ubhayato ’py asukhaṁ bhagavann

anapagatāntakād anadhirūḍha-padād bhavataḥ

Translation

Members of the renounced order who fail to uproot the last traces of material desire in their hearts remain impure, and thus You do not allow them to understand You. Although You are present within their hearts, for them You are like a jewel worn around the neck of a man who has totally forgotten it is there. O Lord, those who practice yoga only for sense gratification must suffer punishment both in this life and the next: from death, who will not release them, and from You, whose kingdom they cannot reach.

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.

True Renunciation Means Pure Devotion

  1. 1

    A show of renunciation is not enough; a thorough change of heart is needed. This includes giving up both harmful sense gratification and subtle desires for reputation and position.

  2. 2

    Meditation without devotion falls short of the perfection of renunciation—pure love of God. First-class devotional service means serving Kṛṣṇa favorably, as He desires, without material motives.

  3. 3

    Yoga practiced only for sense enjoyment cannot free one from suffering and death. The greatest pain is forgetting one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • One must undergo a thorough change of heart, symptomized by a complete lack of interest in the self-destructive habits of sense gratification, both gross and subtle.
  • Philosophers and yogīs work hard to become free from birth and death, but because they are unwilling to surrender their proud independence, their meditations are devoid of devotion to the Supreme Lord, and thus they fall short of the perfection of renunciation — pure love of God.
  • This pure love is the only goal of a sincere Vaiṣṇava, and therefore he must vigilantly resist the natural temptations of profit, adoration and distinction, and also the impulse to merge into an all consuming impersonal oblivion.

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 then proceeded to recite these elaborate prayers. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.87
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadiif
  2. na samuddharantithey do not uproot
  3. yatayaḥpersons in the renounced order of life
  4. hṛdiin their hearts
  5. kāmaof material desire
  6. jaṭāḥthe traces
  7. duradhigamaḥimpossible to be realized
  8. asatāmfor the impure
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “renounced”

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

Is my spiritual effort aimed at pleasing Kṛṣṇa, or at gaining comfort and recognition?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and ask to serve Kṛṣṇa for His pleasure rather than for praise.

Live this todayTrue Renunciation Means Pure DevotionThis 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 10.87.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.