1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.90.4810.90.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.90.49

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

इत्थं परस्य निजवर्त्मरिरक्षयात्त-

लीलातनोस्तदनुरूपविडम्बनानि ।

कर्माणि कर्मकषणानि यदूत्तमस्य

श्रूयादमुष्य पदयोरनुवृत्तिमिच्छन् ॥ ४९ ॥

itthaṁ parasya nija-vartma-rirakṣayātta-

līlā-tanos tad-anurūpa-viḍambanāni

karmāṇi karma-kaṣaṇāni yadūttamasya

śrūyād amuṣya padayor anuvṛttim icchan

Translation

To protect the principles of devotional service to Himself, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the best of the Yadus, accepts the pastime forms that have been glorified here in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. One who desires to faithfully serve His lotus feet should hear of the activities He performs in each of these incarnations — activities that suitably imitate those of the forms He assumes. Hearing narrations of these pastimes destroys the reactions to fruitive work.

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.

Hear Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes to Serve Him

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and best of the Yadus, accepts pastime forms to protect the principles of devotional service to Himself.

  2. 2

    One who desires to faithfully serve His lotus feet should hear about His activities in each incarnation. These activities suitably imitate those of the forms He assumes.

  3. 3

    Hearing narrations of these pastimes destroys the reactions to fruitive work. The purpose of this hearing is faithful service to the Lord.

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:

While resting, eating, walking and so on, which they often did in His company, they would forget their own bodies in their transcendental happiness. The Tenth Canto concludes with this promise of success for the sincere hearer: “By regularly hearing, chanting and meditating on the beautiful topics of Lord Mukunda with ever-increasing sincerity, a mortal being will attain the divine kingdom of the Lord, where the inviolable power of death holds no sway.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.90
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ittham(described) in this manner
  2. parasyaof the Supreme
  3. nijaHis own
  4. vartmapath (of devotional service)
  5. rirakṣayāwith the desire of protecting
  6. āttawho has assumed
  7. līlāfor pastimes
  8. tanoḥvarious personal forms
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “hearing”, “glorified”, “narrations”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “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 can I hear Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with a stronger desire to serve His lotus feet?

Practice

Spend five minutes reading a narration of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, with the intention of learning to serve Him.

Live this todayHear Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes to Serve HimThis 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 10.90.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories