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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
10.13.4510.13.47-48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.46

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

तावत् सर्वे वत्सपाला: पश्यतोऽजस्य तत्क्षणात् ।

व्यद‍ृश्यन्त घनश्यामा: पीतकौशेयवासस: ॥ ४६ ॥

tāvat sarve vatsa-pālāḥ

paśyato ’jasya tat-kṣaṇāt

vyadṛśyanta ghana-śyāmāḥ

pīta-kauśeya-vāsasaḥ

Translation

Then, while Lord Brahmā looked on, all the calves and the boys tending them immediately appeared to have complexions the color of bluish rainclouds and to be dressed in yellow silken garments.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Calves and Boys Reveal Viṣṇu Forms

  1. 1

    Brahmā was considering his own power alongside Kṛṣṇa’s immense, unlimited power.

  2. 2

    Before Brahmā could reach a conclusion, all the calves and cowherd boys immediately transformed into viṣṇu-mūrtis.

  3. 3

    These Viṣṇu forms had complexions resembling bluish rainclouds and wore yellow silken garments. Brahmā saw the transformation as he watched.

Key points from the purport
  • While Brahmā was contemplating, all the calves and cowherd boys immediately transformed into viṣṇu-mūrtis, having bluish complexions and wearing yellow garments.
  • Brahmā was contemplating his own power and the immense, unlimited power of Kṛṣṇa, but before he could come to a conclusion, he saw this immediate transformation.

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 nearly a year, Baladeva observed that all the cowherd boys and calves were expansions of Kṛṣṇa. Thus He inquired from Kṛṣṇa and was informed of what had happened.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāvatso long
  2. sarveall
  3. vatsa-pālāḥboth the calves and the boys tending them
  4. paśyataḥwhile he was watching
  5. ajasyaof Lord Brahmā
  6. tat-kṣaṇātimmediately
  7. vyadṛśyantawere seen
  8. ghana-śyāmāḥas having a complexion resembling bluish rainclouds
  9. pīta-kauśeya-vāsasaḥand dressed in yellow silk garments
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 strikes you about the transformation occurring before Brahmā could reach a conclusion?

Practice

Spend one minute recalling the forms described here: bluish complexions and yellow silken garments.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Calves and Boys Reveal Viṣṇu FormsThis 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 10.13.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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