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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 89: Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Retrieve a Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
10.89.5810.89.60-61

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.89.59

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Mahā-Viṣṇusince 10.89.58inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

पूर्णकामावपि युवां नरनारायणावृषी ।

धर्ममाचरतां स्थित्यै ऋषभौ लोकसङ्ग्रहम् ॥ ५९ ॥

pūrṇa-kāmāv api yuvāṁ

nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī

dharmam ācaratāṁ sthityai

ṛṣabhau loka-saṅgraham

Translation

Although all your desires are completely fulfilled, O best of exalted personalities, for the benefit of the people in general you should continue to exemplify religious behavior as the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa.

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.

Religious Conduct Benefits Others

  1. 1

    Mahā-Viṣṇu addressed Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna as the best of exalted personalities. All their desires were already completely fulfilled.

  2. 2

    Nevertheless, He asked them to continue exemplifying religious behavior as the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa.

  3. 3

    Their conduct was for the benefit of people in general. Their example helped maintain the principles of religion.

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:

Please continue to benefit the people in general by exemplifying religious behavior in your forms of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.” Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna then took the brāhmaṇa’s sons, went back to Dvārakā and returned the infants to their father.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.89
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pūrṇafull
  2. kāmauin all desires
  3. apialthough
  4. yuvāmyou two
  5. nara-nārāyaṇau ṛṣīas the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa
  6. dharmamthe principles of religion
  7. ācaratāmshould execute
  8. sthityaifor its maintenance
  9. ṛṣabhauthe best of all persons
  10. loka-saṅgrahamfor the benefit of the general populace
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.89

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

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 own religious conduct benefit someone besides myself?

Practice

Carry out one religious practice carefully today, remembering the value of setting a good example.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReligious Conduct Benefits OthersThis 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 10.89.59? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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