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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
10.13.710.13.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.13.8

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

कृष्णस्य विष्वक् पुरुराजिमण्डलै-

रभ्यानना: फुल्लद‍ृशो व्रजार्भका: ।

सहोपविष्टा विपिने विरेजु-

श्छदा यथाम्भोरुहकर्णिकाया: ॥ ८ ॥

kṛṣṇasya viṣvak puru-rāji-maṇḍalair

abhyānanāḥ phulla-dṛśo vrajārbhakāḥ

sahopaviṣṭā vipine virejuś

chadā yathāmbhoruha-karṇikāyāḥ

Translation

Like the whorl of a lotus flower surrounded by its petals and leaves, Kṛṣṇa sat in the center, encircled by lines of His friends, who all looked very beautiful. Every one of them was trying to look forward toward Kṛṣṇa, thinking that Kṛṣṇa might look toward him. In this way they all enjoyed their lunch in the forest.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Keep Kṛṣṇa in the Center

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa sits in the center of His friends like the center of a lotus surrounded by petals and leaves. Each boy looks toward Him, hoping for His glance.

  2. 2

    On the platform of pure devotional service, Kṛṣṇa is always visible within the heart. Such perfection makes a devotee beautiful in transcendental bliss.

  3. 3

    The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seeks to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this makes all activities beautiful and blissful.

Key points from the purport
  • To a pure devotee, Kṛṣṇa is always visible, as stated in the Brahma- saṁhitā (santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti) and as indicated by Kṛṣṇa Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (sarvataḥ pāṇi-pādaṁ tat sarvato ’kṣi-śiro-mukham).
  • If by accumulating pious activities (kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ) one is raised to the platform of pure devotional service, Kṛṣṇa is always visible in the core of one’s heart.
  • The present Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is an attempt to keep Kṛṣṇa in the center, for if this is done all activities will automatically become beautiful and blissful.

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. kṛṣṇasya viṣvaksurrounding Kṛṣṇa
  2. puru-rāji-maṇḍalaiḥby different encirclements of associates
  3. abhyānanāḥeveryone looking forward to the center, where Kṛṣṇa was sitting
  4. phulla-dṛśaḥtheir faces looking very bright because of transcendental pleasure
  5. vraja-arbhakāḥall the cowherd boys of Vrajabhūmi
  6. saha-upaviṣṭāḥsitting with Kṛṣṇa
  7. vipinein the forest
  8. virejuḥso nicely and beautifully made
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”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.13

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

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 would keeping Kṛṣṇa in the center mean for one activity today?

Practice

Choose one task and begin it with the intention of serving Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKeep Kṛṣṇa in the CenterThis 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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