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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
10.13.2610.13.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.27

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

इत्थमात्मात्मनात्मानं वत्सपालमिषेण स: ।

पालयन् वत्सपो वर्षं चिक्रीडे वनगोष्ठयो: ॥ २७ ॥

ittham ātmātmanātmānaṁ

vatsa-pāla-miṣeṇa saḥ

pālayan vatsapo varṣaṁ

cikrīḍe vana-goṣṭhayoḥ

Translation

In this way, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, having Himself become the cowherd boys and groups of calves, maintained Himself by Himself. Thus He continued His pastimes, both in Vṛndāvana and in the forest, for one year.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Maintains Himself by Himself

  1. 1

    The calves, the cowherd boys and their maintainer were all Kṛṣṇa. In this way, He maintained Himself by Himself.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa expanded into varieties of calves and cowherd boys. His pastimes in Vṛndāvana and the forest continued uninterrupted for one year.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that Kṛṣṇa’s expansion is situated in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul. Here, He expanded Himself as the calves and cowherd boys.

Key points from the purport
  • In other words, Kṛṣṇa expanded Himself in varieties of calves and cowherd boys and continued His pastimes uninterrupted for one year.
  • As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa’s expansion is situated in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul.
  • Similarly, instead of expanding Himself as the Supersoul, He expanded Himself as a portion of calves and cowherd boys for one continuous year.

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. itthamin this way
  2. ātmāthe Supreme Soul, Kṛṣṇa
  3. ātmanāby Himself
  4. ātmānamHimself again
  5. vatsa-pāla-miṣeṇawith the forms of cowherd boys and calves
  6. saḥKṛṣṇa Himself
  7. pālayanmaintaining
  8. vatsa-paḥtending the calves
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 does this scene teach me about Kṛṣṇa’s ability to expand Himself?

Practice

Spend a minute remembering that the calves, boys and their maintainer in this pastime were all Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Maintains Himself by HimselfThis 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 10.13.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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