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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon
10.15.1310.15.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.15.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

क्‍वचित् क्रीडापरिश्रान्तं गोपोत्सङ्गोपबर्हणम् ।

स्वयं विश्रमयत्यार्यं पादसंवाहनादिभि: ॥ १४ ॥

kvacit krīḍā-pariśrāntaṁ

gopotsaṅgopabarhaṇam

svayaṁ viśramayaty āryaṁ

pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ

Translation

When His elder brother, fatigued from playing, would lie down with His head upon the lap of a cowherd boy, Lord Kṛṣṇa would help Him relax by personally massaging His feet and offering other services.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Kṛṣṇa Personally Serves His Elder Brother

  1. 1

    After playing, Kṛṣṇa’s elder brother would rest His head on a cowherd boy’s lap.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa personally massaged Balarāma’s feet to relieve His fatigue.

  3. 3

    His other services included fanning Balarāma and bringing Him river water to drink.

Key points from the purport
  • The word pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa would massage Balarāma’s feet, fan Him and bring Him river water to drink.

The purport'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 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Pretending to tire, Lord Baladeva laid His head upon the lap of a cowherd boy and rested as Lord Kṛṣṇa helped relieve His elder brother’s fatigue by massaging His feet. Then Kṛṣṇa also placed His head on the lap of a cowherd boy to rest, and another cowherd boy massaged His feet.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kvacitsometimes
  2. krīḍāby playing
  3. pariśrāntamfatigued
  4. gopaof a cowherd boy
  5. utsaṅgathe lap
  6. upabarhaṇamusing as His pillow
  7. svayampersonally
  8. viśramayatirelieves Him from His fatigue
  9. āryamHis elder brother
  10. pāda-saṁvāhana-ādibhiḥby massaging His feet and offering other services
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

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 do you notice about the personal care Kṛṣṇa gives Balarāma?

Practice

Offer a tired family member a glass of water, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s attentive service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Personally Serves His Elder BrotherThis 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 10.15.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.