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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 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā
10.13.1310.13.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.14

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

इत्युक्त्वाद्रिदरीकुञ्जगह्वरेष्वात्मवत्सकान् ।

विचिन्वन्भगवान्कृष्ण: सपाणिकवलो ययौ ॥ १४ ॥

ity uktvādri-darī-kuñja-

gahvareṣv ātma-vatsakān

vicinvan bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ

sapāṇi-kavalo yayau

Translation

“Let Me go and search for the calves,” Kṛṣṇa said. “Don’t disturb your enjoyment.” Then, carrying His yogurt and rice in His hand, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, immediately went out to search for the calves of His friends. To please His friends, He began searching in all the mountains, mountain caves, bushes and narrow passages.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Personally Cares for His Friends

  1. 1

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead has nothing He must do personally. The entire cosmic manifestation works under His direction through His energies.

  2. 2

    Still holding His yogurt and rice, Kṛṣṇa personally searched the mountains, caves, bushes and narrow passages for His friends’ calves.

  3. 3

    Although He could act through His potencies, Kṛṣṇa chose to care for His friends Himself. The purport calls this His causeless mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.8) assert that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has nothing to do personally (na tasya kāryaṁ karaṇaṁ ca vidyate) because He is doing everything through His energies and potencies (parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate).
  • Nonetheless, here we see that He took personal care to find the calves of His friends.
  • I am going personally to search for your calves.”

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

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:

Then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, in order to please Lord Brahmā, as well as His own associates and their mothers, expanded Himself to become the calves and boys, exactly as they were before. In this way, He discovered another pastime.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. iti uktvāsaying this (“Let Me bring your calves personally”)
  2. adri-darī-kuñja-gahvareṣueverywhere in the mountains, the mountain caves, the bushes and narrow places
  3. ātma-vatsakānthe calves belonging to His own personal friends
  4. vicinvansearching out
  5. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  7. sa-pāṇi-kavalaḥcarrying His yogurt and rice in His hand
  8. yayaustarted out
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: “friends”, “friends’”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s personal care reveal about His mercy?

Practice

Reread Kṛṣṇa’s assurance to His friends and offer a brief prayer of gratitude for His personal care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Personally Cares for His FriendsThis 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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