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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 90: Summary of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Glories
10.90.2610.90.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.90.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.90.25inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

या: सम्पर्यचरन्प्रेम्णा पादसंवाहनादिभि: ।

जगद्गुरुं भर्तृबुद्ध्या तासां किं वर्ण्यते तप: ॥ २७ ॥

yāḥ samparyacaran premṇā

pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ

jagad-guruṁ bhartṛ-buddhyā

tāsāṁ kim varṇyate tapaḥ

Translation

And how could one possibly describe the great austerities that had been performed by the women who perfectly served Him, the spiritual master of the universe, in pure ecstatic love? Thinking of Him as their husband, they rendered such intimate services as massaging His feet.

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.

Pure Love Finds Expression in Service

  1. 1

    The verse marvels at the great austerities performed by the women who perfectly served the Lord.

  2. 2

    They served Him in pure ecstatic love, thinking of Him as their husband.

  3. 3

    Though He is the spiritual master of the universe, they offered Him intimate services such as massaging His feet.

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 90: Summary of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Glories

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Sometimes, after playing with the Lord in the water, they would address various creatures — kurarī and cakravāka birds, the ocean, the moon, a cloud, a cuckoo, a mountain, a river and so on — declaring their great attachment to Śrī Kṛṣṇa on the pretext of commiserating with these creatures. Lord Kṛṣṇa begot ten sons in the womb of each of His queens.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.90
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāḥwho
  2. samparyacaranperfectly served
  3. premṇāwith pure love
  4. pādaHis feet
  5. saṁvāhanaby massaging
  6. ādibhiḥand so forth
  7. jagatof the universe
  8. gurumthe spiritual master
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstatic”

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

What does the queens’ intimate service teach you about expressing love through actions?

Practice

Read the verse once more and offer a brief prayer for the desire to serve the Lord with pure love.

Live this todayPure Love Finds Expression in ServiceThis 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.

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