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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 13: The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahmā
10.13.2810.13.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.29

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

ततो विदूराच्चरतो गावो वत्सानुपव्रजम् ।

गोवर्धनाद्रिशिरसि चरन्त्यो दद‍ृशुस्तृणम् ॥ २९ ॥

tato vidūrāc carato

gāvo vatsān upavrajam

govardhanādri-śirasi

carantyo dadṛśus tṛṇam

Translation

Thereafter, while pasturing atop Govardhana Hill, the cows looked down to find some green grass and saw their calves pasturing near Vṛndāvana, not very far away.

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 Cows See Their Calves

  1. 1

    The cows were pasturing on top of Govardhana Hill.

  2. 2

    While looking down for green grass, they saw their calves below.

  3. 3

    The calves were pasturing near Vṛndāvana, not very far from the cows.

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. tataḥthereafter
  2. vidūrātfrom a not-distant place
  3. carataḥwhile pasturing
  4. gāvaḥall the cows
  5. vatsānand their respective calves
  6. upavrajamalso pasturing near Vṛndāvana
  7. govardhana-adri-śirasion the top of Govardhana Hill
  8. carantyaḥwhile pasturing to find
  9. dadṛśuḥsaw
  10. tṛṇamtender grass nearby
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

Can I slow down enough to notice the simple details of this scene?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and picture the cows on Govardhana Hill seeing their calves nearby.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.13's connections

Live this todayThe Cows See Their CalvesThis 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 10.13.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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