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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
10.87.510.87.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.87.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.87.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यो वै भारतवर्षेऽस्मिन् क्षेमाय स्वस्तये नृणाम् ।

धर्मज्ञानशमोपेतमाकल्पादास्थितस्तप: ॥ ६ ॥

yo vai bhārata-varṣe ’smin

kṣemāya svastaye nṛṇām

dharma-jñāna-śamopetam

ā-kalpād āsthitas tapaḥ

Translation

From the very beginning of Brahmā’s day Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi has been undergoing austere penances in this land of Bhārata while perfectly performing religious duties and exemplifying spiritual knowledge and self-control — all for the benefit of human beings in both this world and the next.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Spiritual Discipline for Everyone’s Welfare

  1. 1

    Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi has performed austere penances in Bhārata from the very beginning of Brahmā’s day.

  2. 2

    He perfectly performs religious duties and exemplifies spiritual knowledge and self-control.

  3. 3

    His penances are for the benefit of human beings in both this world and the next.

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:

This chapter presents the prayers by the personified Vedas glorifying the personal and impersonal aspects of Lord Nārāyaṇa. King Parīkṣit asked Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī how the Vedas can directly refer to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Brahman, since the Vedas deal with the material realm governed by the three modes of nature and Brahman is completely transcendental to these modes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.87
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥwho
  2. vaiindeed
  3. bhārata-varṣein the holy land of Bhārata (India)
  4. asminthis
  5. kṣemāyafor the welfare in this life
  6. svastayeand for the welfare in the next life
  7. nṛṇāmof men
  8. dharmawith maintenance of religious standards
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.87

    In this verse: “religious”, “duties”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 could greater self-control help me act for others’ welfare?

Practice

Practice self-control in one small action today, such as patiently completing a duty before seeking enjoyment.

Live this todaySpiritual Discipline for Everyone’s WelfareThis 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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