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

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.11.12

Who is speaking and story frame

सरित्तीरगतं कृष्णं भग्नार्जुनमथाह्वयत् ।

रामं च रोहिणी देवी क्रीडन्तं बालकैर्भृशम् ॥ १२ ॥

sarit-tīra-gataṁ kṛṣṇaṁ

bhagnārjunam athāhvayat

rāmaṁ ca rohiṇī devī

krīḍantaṁ bālakair bhṛśam

Translation

Once, after the uprooting of the yamala-arjuna trees, Rohiṇīdevī went to call Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, who had both gone to the riverside and were playing with the other boys with deep attention.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Affection Calls Kṛṣṇa Home

  1. 1

    After the uprooting of the yamala-arjuna trees, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa played with the other boys by the riverside. They were deeply absorbed in Their play.

  2. 2

    Although Rohiṇīdevī was Balarāma’s mother, mother Yaśodā was more attached to both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

  3. 3

    When it was time for lunch, mother Yaśodā sent Rohiṇīdevī to call Them. Rohiṇīdevī went to interrupt Their play and bring Them back.

Key points from the purport
  • Mother Yaśodā was more attached to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma than Rohiṇīdevī was, although Rohiṇīdevī was the mother of Balarāma.
  • Mother Yaśodā sent Rohiṇīdevī to call Rāma and Kṛṣṇa from Their play, since it was the right time for lunch.
  • Therefore Rohiṇīdevī went to call Them, breaking Their engagement in play.

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

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: The Childhood Pastimes of Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When the yamala-arjuna trees fell, they made a tremendous sound, like that of falling thunderbolts. Being surprised, Kṛṣṇa’s father, Nanda, and the other elderly inhabitants of Gokula went to the spot, where they saw the fallen trees and Kṛṣṇa standing between them, bound to the ulūkhala, the wooden mortar.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarit-tīrato the riverside
  2. gatamwho had gone
  3. kṛṣṇamunto Kṛṣṇa
  4. bhagna-arjunamafter the pastime of breaking the yamala-arjuna trees
  5. athathen
  6. āhvayatcalled
  7. rāmam caas well as Balarāma
  8. rohiṇīthe mother of Balarāma
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.11

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “mother”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.11

    In this verse: “attached”

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 do I notice about mother Yaśodā’s affection in her concern for Their lunch?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering Rohiṇīdevī going to call Rāma and Kṛṣṇa from Their riverside play.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection Calls Kṛṣṇa HomeThis 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 10.11.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.