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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura
10.12.110.12.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.12.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.12.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तेनैव साकं पृथुका: सहस्रश:

स्‍निग्धा: सुशिग्वेत्रविषाणवेणव: ।

स्वान् स्वान् सहस्रोपरिसङ्ख्ययान्वितान्

वत्सान् पुरस्कृत्य विनिर्ययुर्मुदा ॥ २ ॥

tenaiva sākaṁ pṛthukāḥ sahasraśaḥ

snigdhāḥ suśig-vetra-viṣāṇa-veṇavaḥ

svān svān sahasropari-saṅkhyayānvitān

vatsān puraskṛtya viniryayur mudā

Translation

At that time, hundreds and thousands of cowherd boys came out of their respective homes in Vrajabhūmi and joined Kṛṣṇa, keeping before them their hundreds and thousands of groups of calves. The boys were very beautiful, and they were equipped with lunch bags, bugles, flutes, and sticks for controlling the calves.

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.

The Cowherd Boys Gather Around Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Hundreds and thousands of cowherd boys came from their homes in Vrajabhūmi to join Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Each boy kept his group of calves before him, bringing together hundreds and thousands of groups.

  3. 3

    The beautiful boys carried lunch bags, bugles, flutes and sticks for controlling the calves.

How it feels

Peril and pride → Friendship and humility. Divinity is revealed amid intimate childhood play.

Chapters 12–19 of Canto 10: Childhood dangers and Brahmā's amazement. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One day Kṛṣṇa wanted to enjoy a picnic lunch within the forest, and therefore He went out early into the forest with the other cowherd boys, accompanied by their respective groups of calves. While they were enjoying their picnic, Aghāsura, the younger brother of Pūtanā and Bakāsura, appeared there, desiring to kill Kṛṣṇa and His companions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tenaHim
  2. evaindeed
  3. sākamaccompanied by
  4. pṛthukāḥthe boys
  5. sahasraśaḥby the thousands
  6. snigdhāḥvery attractive
  7. subeautiful
  8. śiklunch bags
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.12

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which detail helps you picture the boys gathering to accompany Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly, picturing the boys joining Kṛṣṇa with their calves and belongings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Cowherd Boys Gather Around KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.12.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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