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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
10.13.410.13.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.5

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

अहोऽतिरम्यं पुलिनं वयस्या:

स्वकेलिसम्पन्मृदुलाच्छबालुकम् ।

स्फुटत्सरोगन्धहृतालिपत्रिक-

ध्वनिप्रतिध्वानलसद्‌‌‌द्रुमाकुलम् ॥ ५ ॥

aho ’tiramyaṁ pulinaṁ vayasyāḥ

sva-keli-sampan mṛdulāccha-bālukam

sphuṭat-saro-gandha-hṛtāli-patrika-

dhvani-pratidhvāna-lasad-drumākulam

Translation

My dear friends, just see how this riverbank is extremely beautiful because of its pleasing atmosphere. And just see how the blooming lotuses are attracting bees and birds by their aroma. The humming and chirping of the bees and birds is echoing throughout the beautiful trees in the forest. Also, here the sands are clean and soft. Therefore, this must be considered the best place for our sporting and pastimes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vṛndāvana’s Beauty Welcomes Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa invites His friends to notice the beautiful riverbank, its soft, clean sand, and its pleasing atmosphere.

  2. 2

    Blooming lotuses attract bees and birds, whose sounds echo among the trees. Kṛṣṇa considers this an excellent place for their play.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Vṛndāvana’s bird-filled atmosphere continued through the time of the Vaiṣṇava ācāryas. He also describes these pleasing sounds around the Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple.

Key points from the purport
  • The description of Vṛndāvana forest as given herewith was spoken by Kṛṣṇa five thousand years ago, and the same condition prevailed during the time of the Vaiṣṇava ācāryas three or four hundred years ago.
  • Vṛndāvana forest is always filled with the chirping and cooing of birds like cuckoos (kokila), ducks (haṁsa) and cranes (sārasa), and it is also full of peacocks (mayūrākule).
  • Everyone who visits this temple is pleased to hear the chirping of the birds as described here (kūjat-kokila-haṁsa-sārasa).

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. ahooh
  2. ati-ramyamvery, very beautiful
  3. pulinamthe bank of the river
  4. vayasyāḥMy dear friends
  5. sva-keli-sampatfull with all paraphernalia for pastimes of play
  6. mṛdula-accha-bālukamthe very soft and clean sandy bank
  7. sphuṭatin full bloom
  8. saraḥ-gandhaby the aroma of the lotus flower
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”

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

Which detail helps me appreciate the setting of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes?

Practice

Read Kṛṣṇa’s description slowly and pause to picture the sounds and beauty of the riverbank.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVṛndāvana’s Beauty Welcomes Kṛṣṇa’s PastimesThis 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 10.13.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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