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 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon
10.15.1610.15.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.17

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

पादसंवाहनं चक्रु: केचित्तस्य महात्मन: ।

अपरे हतपाप्मानो व्यजनै: समवीजयन् ॥ १७ ॥

pāda-saṁvāhanaṁ cakruḥ

kecit tasya mahātmanaḥ

apare hata-pāpmāno

vyajanaiḥ samavījayan

Translation

Some of the cowherd boys, who were all great souls, would then massage His lotus feet, and others, qualified by being free of all sin, would expertly fan the Supreme Lord.

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.

Serve the Supreme Lord With Care

  1. 1

    Some cowherd boys, described as great souls, massaged Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    Others, qualified by being free from all sin, expertly fanned the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    They fanned Him very carefully, creating gentle and cooling breezes.

Key points from the purport
  • The word samavījayan indicates that the cowherd boys fanned the Lord very carefully and expertly, creating gentle and cooling breezes.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 6.64

This verse, quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.15.17), describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma were playing with the cowherd boys after killing Dhenukāsura in Tālavana.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

During this play, Śrīdāmā, Subala, Stoka-kṛṣṇa and other cowherd boys described to Rāma and Kṛṣṇa a wicked and irrepressible demon named Dhenuka, who had assumed the form of a jackass and was living in the Tālavana forest near Govardhana Hill. This forest was full of many varieties of sweet fruits.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pāda-saṁvāhanamthe massaging of the feet
  2. cakruḥdid
  3. kecitsome of them
  4. tasyaof Him
  5. mahā-ātmanaḥgreat souls
  6. apareothers
  7. hata-pāpmānaḥwho were free from all sins
  8. vyajanaiḥwith fans
  9. samavījayanperfectly fanned Him
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 10.15

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “free from”

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

How can the boys’ careful service shape the attention you bring to devotional service?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and do it carefully, without rushing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe the Supreme Lord With CareThis 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 10.15.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.