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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 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
10.89.8-910.89.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.89.10-11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.89.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पुनीहि सहलोकं मां लोकपालांश्च मद्गतान् ।

पादोदकेन भवतस्तीर्थानां तीर्थकारिणा ॥ १० ॥

अद्याहं भगवँल्ल‍क्ष्‍म्‍या आसमेकान्तभाजनम् ।

वत्स्यत्युरसि मे भूतिर्भवत्पादहतांहस: ॥ ११ ॥

punīhi saha-lokaṁ māṁ

loka-pālāṁś ca mad-gatān

pādodakena bhavatas

tīrthānāṁ tīrtha-kāriṇā

adyāhaṁ bhagavaḻ lakṣmyā

āsam ekānta-bhājanam

vatsyaty urasi me bhūtir

bhavat-pāda-hatāṁhasaḥ

Translation

“Please purify Me, My realm and the realms of the universal rulers devoted to Me by giving us the water that has washed your feet. This holy water is indeed what makes all places of pilgrimage sacred. Today, my lord, I have become the exclusive shelter of the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī; she will consent to reside on My chest because your foot has rid it of sins.”

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.

Mercy Does Not Make Offense Praiseworthy

  1. 1

    The Lord humbly asked for the water that had washed Bhṛgu’s feet to purify Himself and His realms. He spoke of that water as making places of pilgrimage sacred.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against taking pride in Bhṛgu’s kicking Lord Viṣṇu’s chest. It was the greatest offense, although the greatly magnanimous Lord did not take it very seriously.

  3. 3

    The purport also includes the Lord’s concern for Bhṛgu’s tender feet. Lord Viṣṇu began massaging them with His own hands.

Key points from the purport
  • Continuing his comments, Śrīla Prabhupāda says: “The so-called brāhmaṇas of the Kali-yuga are sometimes very proud that a great brāhmaṇa like Bhṛgu Muni could touch the chest of Lord Viṣṇu with his foot.
  • But in fact, when Bhṛgu Muni kicked the chest of Lord Viṣṇu it was the greatest offense, although Lord Viṣṇu, being greatly magnanimous, did not take it very seriously.”
  • Saying this, Lord Viṣṇu began massaging the brāhmaṇa’s feet with His own hands.”

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 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Going up to the Lord, who was lying with His head on the lap of the goddess of fortune, Bhṛgu kicked His chest. But instead of becoming angry, both the Lord and His consort stood up and offered Bhṛgu respects.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. punīhiplease purify
  2. sahaalong with
  3. lokamMy planet
  4. māmMe
  5. lokaof various planets
  6. pālānthe rulers
  7. caand
  8. mat-gatānwho are devoted to Me
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “purify”, “sins”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “pride”, “offense”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “rulers”

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 mistake another person’s forgiveness for approval of my behavior?

Practice

Recall one kindness shown after your mistake, and acknowledge it with gratitude rather than self-justification.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMercy Does Not Make Offense PraiseworthyThis 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 10.89.10-11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.