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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 10.88.11

Who is speaking and story frame

अतो मां सुदुराराध्यं हित्वान्यान् भजते जन: ।

ततस्त आशुतोषेभ्यो लब्धराज्यश्रियोद्धता: ।

मत्ता: प्रमत्ता वरदान् विस्मयन्त्यवजानते ॥ ११ ॥

ato māṁ su-durārādhyaṁ

hitvānyān bhajate janaḥ

tatas ta āśu-toṣebhyo

labdha-rājya-śriyoddhatāḥ

mattāḥ pramattā vara-dān

vismayanty avajānate

Translation

Because I am difficult to worship, people generally avoid Me and instead worship other deities, who are quickly satisfied. When people receive kingly opulences from these deities, they become arrogant, intoxicated with pride and neglectful of their duties. They dare to offend even the demigods who have bestowed benedictions upon them.

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.

Opulence Can Lead to Pride and Neglect

  1. 1

    People generally avoid worshiping Kṛṣṇa because He is difficult to worship. Instead, they approach deities who are quickly satisfied.

  2. 2

    Receiving kingly opulences can make people arrogant, intoxicated with pride and neglectful of their duties.

  3. 3

    Such pride can lead them to offend even the demigods who gave them their benedictions. Material gain should not replace devotion to the Supreme Lord.

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 88: Lord Śiva Saved from Vṛkāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva can each bestow or withhold favors, but whereas Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva are satisfied or angered very quickly, Lord Viṣṇu is not. In this regard the Vedic literature relates the following account: Once the demon Vṛka asked Nārada which god was most quickly pleased, and Nārada answered that Lord Śiva was.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.88
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ataḥtherefore
  2. māmMe
  3. suvery
  4. durārādhyamdifficult to worship
  5. hitvāleaving aside
  6. anyānothers
  7. bhajateworship
  8. janaḥthe ordinary populace
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “worship”, “devotion”, “worshiping”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “pride”, “offend”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.88

    In this verse: “duties”

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

Do I seek quick rewards more eagerly than the opportunity to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Choose one duty you might otherwise neglect today, and carry it out without seeking praise.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOpulence Can Lead to Pride and NeglectThis 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 10.88.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.