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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.89.26-27 10.89.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.28

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

धनदारात्मजापृक्ता यत्र शोचन्ति ब्राह्मणा: ।

ते वै राजन्यवेषेण नटा जीवन्त्यसुम्भरा: ॥ २८ ॥

dhana-dārātmajāpṛktā

yatra śocanti brāhmaṇāḥ

te vai rājanya-veṣeṇa

naṭā jīvanty asum-bharāḥ

Translation

“The rulers of a kingdom in which brāhmaṇas lament over lost wealth, wives and children are merely imposters playing the role of kings just to earn their livelihood.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Leadership Means Protection, Not Merely Livelihood

1
The verse condemns rulers under whom brāhmaṇas lament over lost wealth, wives and children.
2
Such rulers are called imposters, merely playing the role of kings.
3
Holding authority just to earn a livelihood does not fulfill the responsibility to protect others.

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

Chapter 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The brāhmaṇa took his dead son to the court of King Ugrasena and berated the King: “This duplicitous, greedy enemy of brāhmaṇas has caused my son’s death by failing to execute his duties properly!” The same misfortune continued to befall the brāhmaṇa, and each time he would bring his dead infant’s body to the royal court and berate the King.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.89

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

dhanafrom wealth
dārawives
ātmajaand children
apṛktāḥseparated
yatrain which (situation)
śocantilament
brāhmaṇāḥbrāhmaṇas
tethey

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: “kingdom”, “rulers”, “kings”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.89
In this verse: “wealth”
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.89
In this verse: “children”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I responsible for others, and do I take their distress seriously?

Practice

Check on one person affected by a responsibility you hold, and ask what help they need.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLeadership Means Protection, Not Merely LivelihoodThis 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 10.89.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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