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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
10.89.2310.89.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.24

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 10.89.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हिंसाविहारं नृपतिं दु:शीलमजितेन्द्रियम् ।

प्रजा भजन्त्य: सीदन्ति दरिद्रा नित्यदु:खिता: ॥ २४ ॥

hiṁsā-vihāraṁ nṛpatiṁ

duḥśīlam ajitendriyam

prajā bhajantyaḥ sīdanti

daridrā nitya-duḥkhitāḥ

Translation

Citizens serving such a wicked king, who takes pleasure in violence and cannot control his senses, are doomed to suffer poverty and constant misery.

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.

Uncontrolled Leadership Brings Suffering

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇa describes a wicked ruler as someone who takes pleasure in violence.

  2. 2

    He also condemns a ruler who cannot control his senses.

  3. 3

    He says that citizens serving such a king suffer poverty and constant misery. His warning connects a ruler’s conduct with the citizens’ suffering.

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:

“Welcome,” said the Lord. “Please sit down and rest awhile.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hiṁsāviolence
  2. vihāramwhose sport
  3. nṛ-patimthis King
  4. duḥśīlamwicked
  5. ajitaunconquered
  6. indriyamwhose senses
  7. prajāḥthe citizens
  8. bhajantyaḥserving
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”, “ruler”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “suffering”

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 might my lack of self-control cause difficulty for those affected by my decisions?

Practice

Before one decision affecting someone else today, pause and check whether an uncontrolled desire is driving it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUncontrolled Leadership Brings SufferingThis 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 10.89.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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