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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 11: The Childhood Pastimes of Kṛṣṇa
10.11.5110.11.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.11.52

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.11.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तदा बकारिं सुरलोकवासिन:

समाकिरन् नन्दनमल्लिकादिभि: ।

समीडिरे चानकशङ्खसंस्तवै-

स्तद् वीक्ष्य गोपालसुता विसिस्मिरे ॥ ५२ ॥

tadā bakāriṁ sura-loka-vāsinaḥ

samākiran nandana-mallikādibhiḥ

samīḍire cānaka-śaṅkha-saṁstavais

tad vīkṣya gopāla-sutā visismire

Translation

At that time, the celestial denizens of the higher planetary system showered mallikā-puṣpa, flowers grown in Nandana-kānana, upon Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of Bakāsura. They also congratulated Him by sounding celestial kettledrums and conchshells and by offering prayers. Seeing this, the cowherd boys were struck with wonder.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Kṛṣṇa with Praise and Wonder

  1. 1

    The celestial denizens showered Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of Bakāsura, with mallikā-puṣpa flowers grown in Nandana-kānana.

  2. 2

    They congratulated Him with celestial kettledrums, conchshells and prayers.

  3. 3

    Seeing this celebration, the cowherd boys were struck with wonder.

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:

During this time, a demon named Vatsāsura entered among the calves and was killed, and another asura, in the shape of a big duck, was also killed. The playmates of Kṛṣṇa narrated all these stories to their mothers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tadāat that time
  2. baka-arimunto the enemy of Bakāsura
  3. sura-loka-vāsinaḥthe celestial denizens of the higher planets
  4. samākiranshowered flowers
  5. nandana-mallikā-ādibhiḥwith such flowers as mallikā, which are grown in Nandana-kānana
  6. samīḍirealso congratulated Him
  7. caand
  8. ānaka-śaṅkha-saṁstavaiḥby celestial kettledrums and conchshells, accompanied with prayers
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: “nandana-kānana”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.11

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

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 you make room for sincere praise and wonder in your remembrance of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Offer Kṛṣṇa a brief prayer of praise, taking a moment afterward to reflect on this scene.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Kṛṣṇa with Praise and WonderThis 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 10.11.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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