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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 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā
10.13.1110.13.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.13.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भारतैवं वत्सपेषु भुञ्जानेष्वच्युतात्मसु ।

वत्सास्त्वन्तर्वने दूरं विविशुस्तृणलोभिता: ॥ १२ ॥

bhārataivaṁ vatsa-peṣu

bhuñjāneṣv acyutātmasu

vatsās tv antar-vane dūraṁ

viviśus tṛṇa-lobhitāḥ

Translation

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, while the cowherd boys, who knew nothing within the core of their hearts but Kṛṣṇa, were thus engaged in eating their lunch in the forest, the calves went far away, deep into the forest, being allured by green grass.

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’ Hearts Were Filled With Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys knew nothing within the core of their hearts but Kṛṣṇa. Their lunch in the forest was spent in His company.

  2. 2

    While the boys were eating, the calves were attracted by green grass.

  3. 3

    The calves wandered far away into the deep forest while the boys remained absorbed in their lunch with Kṛṣṇa.

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 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The calves, being allured by green grasses, gradually went far away, and therefore Kṛṣṇa’s associates became a little agitated and wanted to bring back the calves. Kṛṣṇa, however, encouraged the boys by saying, “You take your tiffin without being agitated.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhārataO Mahārāja Parīkṣit
  2. evamin this way (while they were enjoying their lunch)
  3. vatsa-peṣualong with all the boys tending the calves
  4. bhuñjāneṣuengaged in taking their food
  5. acyuta-ātmasuall of them being very near and dear to Acyuta, Kṛṣṇa
  6. vatsāḥthe calves
  7. tuhowever
  8. antaḥ-vanewithin the deep forest
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 10.13

    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

What would it mean to give Kṛṣṇa more room within your heart?

Practice

Pause during one meal today to remember the boys eating in Kṛṣṇa’s company.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Boys’ Hearts Were Filled With 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.

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