1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.14.4210.14.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.14.43

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.14.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एकस्मिन्नपि यातेऽब्दे प्राणेशं चान्तरात्मन: ।

कृष्णमायाहता राजन् क्षणार्धं मेनिरेऽर्भका: ॥ ४३ ॥

ekasminn api yāte ’bde

prāṇeśaṁ cāntarātmanaḥ

kṛṣṇa-māyāhatā rājan

kṣaṇārdhaṁ menire ’rbhakāḥ

Translation

O King, although the boys had passed an entire year apart from the Lord of their very lives, they had been covered by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency and thus considered that year merely half a moment.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Year Seemed Half a Moment

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys had passed an entire year apart from Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Covered by Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency, they considered that year merely half a moment.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is described as the Lord of their very lives. Their relationship with Him remains central to this account of separation.

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 14: Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

By the power of Kṛṣṇa’s illusory energy, they were not at all aware of what had happened. Thus when Kṛṣṇa arrived with the calves, the boys told Him, “You’ve returned so quickly!
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ekasminone
  2. apialthough
  3. yātehaving passed
  4. abdeyear
  5. prāṇa-īśamthe Lord of their lives
  6. caand
  7. antarāwithout
  8. ātmanaḥof themselves
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.14

    In this verse: “separation”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the phrase “the Lord of their very lives” invite me to reflect on?

Practice

Pause for one quiet minute to remember Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of the cowherd boys’ lives.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Year Seemed Half a MomentThis 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 10.14.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories