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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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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 12: The Killing of the Demon Aghāsura
10.12.310.12.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.12.4

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

फलप्रबालस्तवकसुमन:पिच्छधातुभि: ।

काचगुञ्जामणिस्वर्णभूषिता अप्यभूषयन् ॥ ४ ॥

phala-prabāla-stavaka-

sumanaḥ-piccha-dhātubhiḥ

kāca-guñjā-maṇi-svarṇa-

bhūṣitā apy abhūṣayan

Translation

Although all these boys were already decorated by their mothers with ornaments of kāca, guñjā, pearls and gold, when they went into the forest they further decorated themselves with fruits, green leaves, bunches of flowers, peacock feathers and soft minerals.

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 Boys Add the Forest’s Decorations

  1. 1

    The boys’ mothers had already decorated them with ornaments of kāca, guñjā, pearls and gold.

  2. 2

    In the forest, the boys decorated themselves further with fruits, green leaves and bunches of flowers.

  3. 3

    They also used peacock feathers and soft minerals, adding the forest’s decorations to their existing ornaments.

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. phalafruits from the forest
  2. prabālagreen leaves
  3. stavakabunches
  4. sumanaḥbeautiful flowers
  5. picchapeacock feathers
  6. dhātubhiḥvery soft and colorful minerals
  7. kācaa kind of gem
  8. guñjāsmall conchshells
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 10.12

    In this verse: “mothers”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do you notice about the boys’ delight in decorating themselves in the forest?

Practice

Notice a leaf or flower today, and remember the boys decorating themselves during their outing with Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Boys Add the Forest’s DecorationsThis 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 10.12.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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