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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
10.13.610.13.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.7

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

तथेति पाययित्वार्भा वत्सानारुध्य शाद्वले ।

मुक्त्वा शिक्यानि बुभुजु: समं भगवता मुदा ॥ ७ ॥

tatheti pāyayitvārbhā

vatsān ārudhya śādvale

muktvā śikyāni bubhujuḥ

samaṁ bhagavatā mudā

Translation

Accepting Lord Kṛṣṇa’s proposal, the cowherd boys allowed the calves to drink water from the river and then tied them to trees where there was green, tender grass. Then the boys opened their baskets of food and began eating with Kṛṣṇa in great transcendental pleasure.

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.

Following Kṛṣṇa’s Proposal Brings Joy

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys accept Lord Kṛṣṇa’s proposal.

  2. 2

    They let the calves drink from the river, then tie them to trees where tender green grass grows.

  3. 3

    After caring for the calves, they open their food baskets and eat with Kṛṣṇa in great transcendental pleasure.

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. tathā itias Kṛṣṇa proposed, the other cowherd boys agreed
  2. pāyayitvā arbhāḥthey allowed to drink water
  3. vatsānthe calves
  4. ārudhyatying them to the trees, allowed them to eat
  5. śādvalein a place of green, tender grasses
  6. muktvāopening
  7. śikyānitheir bags of eatables and other paraphernalia
  8. bubhujuḥwent and enjoyed
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 stands out to me about the boys’ response to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause before your meal to remember the boys joyfully accepting Kṛṣṇa’s proposal.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollowing Kṛṣṇa’s Proposal Brings JoyThis 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.

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