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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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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

10.89.35 10.89.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.36

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śrī Arjunasince 10.89.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स उपस्पृश्य शुच्यम्भो नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम् ।

दिव्यान्यस्‍त्राणि संस्मृत्य सज्यं गाण्डीवमाददे ॥ ३६ ॥

sa upaspṛśya śucy ambho

namaskṛtya maheśvaram

divyāny astrāṇi saṁsmṛtya

sajyaṁ gāṇḍīvam ādade

Translation

After touching pure water, offering obeisances to Lord Maheśvara and recollecting the mantras for his celestial weapons, Arjuna strung his bow Gāṇḍīva.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Arjuna Prepares with Remembrance and Respect

1
Arjuna touches pure water and offers obeisances to Lord Maheśvara.
2
He recollects the mantras for his celestial weapons and strings his bow Gāṇḍīva.
3
The ācāryas explain that, because the brāhmaṇa had disrespected Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna tactfully offered obeisances instead to Lord Śiva, who had taught him the Pāśupāta weapon’s mantras.

Key points from the purport

The ācāryas point out that since the brāhmaṇa had disrespected Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna tactfully offered his obeisances instead to Lord Śiva, who had taught Arjuna how to use the mantras of the Pāśupāta weapon.

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

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Gradually they came to the water of the Causal Ocean, within which they found the city of Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu. There they saw the thousand-hooded serpent Ananta and upon Him lay Mahā-Viṣṇu.

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