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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 90: Summary of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Glories
10.90.3810.90.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.90.39

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.90.25inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न ह्येतस्मिन् कुले जाता अधना अबहुप्रजा: ।

अल्पायुषोऽल्पवीर्याश्च अब्रह्मण्याश्च जज्ञिरे ॥ ३९ ॥

na hy etasmin kule jātā

adhanā abahu-prajāḥ

alpāyuṣo ’lpa-vīryāś ca

abrahmaṇyāś ca jajñire

Translation

No one born in this family was poor in wealth or progeny, short-lived, weak or neglectful of brahminical culture.

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.

Prosperity Joined With Brahminical Culture

  1. 1

    No one born in this family was poor in wealth or lacked abundant progeny.

  2. 2

    Its members were neither short-lived nor weak.

  3. 3

    Along with these blessings, no one neglected brahminical culture.

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:

Before Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared, many demons took birth in human families to harass the people of the world and destroy brahminical culture. To subdue them, the Lord ordered the demigods to descend into the Yadu dynasty, which then expanded into 101 clans.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.90
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. hiindeed
  3. etasminin this
  4. kulefamily
  5. jātāḥappearing
  6. adhanaḥpoor
  7. a-bahunot having many
  8. prajāḥchildren
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “blessings”

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

Do I value spiritual culture alongside material well-being?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today for spiritual study rather than only material concerns.

Live this todayProsperity Joined With Brahminical CultureThis 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 10.90.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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