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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
10.89.1910.89.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 10.89.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीसूत उवाच

इत्येतन्मुनितनयास्यपद्मगन्ध-

पीयूषं भवभयभित् परस्य पुंस: ।

सुश्लोकं श्रवणपुटै: पिबत्यभीक्ष्णं

पान्थोऽध्वभ्रमणपरिश्रमं जहाति ॥ २० ॥

śrī-sūta uvāca

ity etan muni-tanayāsya-padma-gandha

pīyūṣaṁ bhava-bhaya-bhit parasya puṁsaḥ

su-ślokaṁ śravaṇa-puṭaiḥ pibaty abhīkṣṇam

pāntho ’dhva-bhramaṇa-pariśramaṁ jahāti

Translation

Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus did this fragrant nectar flow from the lotus mouth of Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of the sage Vyāsadeva. This wonderful glorification of the Supreme Person destroys all fear of material existence. A traveler who constantly drinks this nectar through his ear-holes will forget the fatigue brought on by wandering along the paths of worldly life.

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.

Hear the Nectar of the Lord’s Glories

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s glorification of the Supreme Person is compared to fragrant nectar. It destroys fear of material existence.

  2. 2

    For those suffering from spiritual infirmity, this narration is a tonic that cures the disease of illusion.

  3. 3

    For surrendered Vaiṣṇavas, it is a delicious, invigorating beverage. Constant hearing relieves the fatigue of wandering through worldly life.

Key points from the purport
  • This narration by Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī is precious in two ways: For those suffering from spiritual infirmity it is an effective tonic to cure the disease of illusion.
  • And for surrendered Vaiṣṇavas it is a delicious and invigorating beverage, fragrant with the aroma of Śrī Śuka’s realizations.

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:

When Bhṛgu went back to the assembly of sages and told them all that had happened, they concluded that Lord Viṣṇu is certainly supreme. Once in Dvārakā a brāhmaṇa’s wife gave birth to a son who immediately died.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-sūtaḥ uvācaŚrī Suta said
  2. itithus spoken
  3. etatthis
  4. muniof the sage (Vyāsadeva)
  5. tanayaof the son (Śukadeva)
  6. āsyafrom the mouth
  7. padma(which is just like) a lotus
  8. gandhawith the fragrance
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “glorification”, “hearing”, “narration”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “material”, “illusion”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “fear”

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

Am I making time to hear the Lord’s glories regularly?

Practice

Read this glorification aloud today and listen attentively to each sentence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear the Nectar of the Lord’s GloriesThis 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 10.89.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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