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

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 1 · Chapter 10: Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa for Dvārakā
1.10.191.10.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.10.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.10.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अन्योन्यमासीत्सञ्जल्प उत्तमश्लोकचेतसाम् ।

कौरवेन्द्रपुरस्त्रीणां सर्वश्रुतिमनोहर: ॥ २० ॥

anyonyam āsīt sañjalpa

uttama-śloka-cetasām

kauravendra-pura-strīṇāṁ

sarva-śruti-mano-haraḥ

Translation

Absorbed in the thought of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, who is sung in select poetry, the ladies on the roofs of all the houses of Hastināpura began to talk of Him. This talk was more attractive than the hymns of the Vedas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Simple Praise Can Express Vedic Wisdom

  1. 1

    The goal of all Vedic literature is the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The ladies’ conversation directly praised Him and was therefore especially pleasing.

  2. 2

    The subject matter is more important than the language. Songs praising the Lord can be as good as Vedic mantras even when composed in simple language.

  3. 3

    Absorbed in the Lord’s thoughts and activities, the ladies developed the consciousness of Vedic wisdom by His grace. Their pleasing words did not depend on scholarly learning.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, while the ladies on the tops of the houses in the capital of the kings of the Kuru dynasty were talking about the Lord, their talk was more pleasing than the Vedic hymns.
  • And therefore although such ladies might not have been very learned scholars in Sanskrit or otherwise, still whatever they spoke was more attractive than the Vedic hymns.
  • But the talks of the ladies were directly spoken of the Lord, and thus they were more pleasing to the heart.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Longing → Joy and continuity. Departure and welcome coexist; Parīkṣit embodies continuity of grace.

Chapters 10–12 of Canto 1: Kṛṣṇa returns to Dvārakā; Parīkṣit is born. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa for Dvārakā

Kṛṣṇa leaves Hastināpura for Dvārakā amid His relatives’ affection and praise.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.10
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anyonyamamong each other
  2. āsītthere was
  3. sañjalpaḥtalking
  4. uttama-ślokathe Supreme, who is praised by selected poetry
  5. cetasāmof those whose hearts are absorbed in that way
  6. kaurava-indrathe king of the Kurus
  7. puracapital
  8. strīṇāmall the ladies
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.10

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.10

    In this verse: “wisdom”

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

Does concern about finding impressive words ever hold you back from praising Kṛṣṇa simply?

Practice

Say two simple sentences in praise of Kṛṣṇa, drawing on what you have read here.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todaySimple Praise Can Express Vedic WisdomThis 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 1.10.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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