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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
10.13.2710.13.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.28

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

एकदा चारयन् वत्सान्सरामो वनमाविशत् ।

पञ्चषासु त्रियामासु हायनापूरणीष्वज: ॥ २८ ॥

ekadā cārayan vatsān

sa-rāmo vanam āviśat

pañca-ṣāsu tri-yāmāsu

hāyanāpūraṇīṣv ajaḥ

Translation

One day, five or six nights before the completion of the year, Kṛṣṇa, tending the calves, entered the forest along with Balarāma.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Even Balarāma Was Captivated

  1. 1

    Five or six nights before the year ended, Kṛṣṇa entered the forest with Balarāma while tending the calves.

  2. 2

    Until then, even Balarāma was captivated by the bewilderment that covered Brahmā. He did not know that the calves and boys were expansions of Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Balarāma also did not know that He Himself was an expansion of Kṛṣṇa. This was disclosed to Him only five or six days before the year’s completion.

Key points from the purport
  • Up to this time, even Balarāma was captivated by the bewilderment that covered Brahmā.
  • Even Balarāma did not know that all the calves and cowherd boys were expansions of Kṛṣṇa or that He Himself was also an expansion of Kṛṣṇa.
  • This was disclosed to Balarāma just five or six days before the completion of the 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:

After killing Aghāsura, Kṛṣṇa, along with His associates the cowherd boys, went for a picnic within the forest. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ekadāone day
  2. cārayan vatsānwhile taking care of all the calves
  3. sa-rāmaḥalong with Balarāma
  4. vanamwithin the forest
  5. āviśatentered
  6. pañca-ṣāsufive or six
  7. tri-yāmāsunights
  8. hāyanaa whole year
  9. apūraṇīṣunot being fulfilled (five or six days before the completion of one year)
  10. ajaḥLord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
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

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

How does Balarāma’s bewilderment encourage humility in my understanding of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause after reading and acknowledge one thing about Kṛṣṇa’s expansions that you do not yet understand.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Balarāma Was CaptivatedThis 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 10.13.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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