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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
10.15.1810.15.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.19

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

एवं निगूढात्मगति: स्वमायया

गोपात्मजत्वं चरितैर्विडम्बयन् ।

रेमे रमालालितपादपल्लवो

ग्राम्यै: समं ग्राम्यवदीशचेष्टित: ॥ १९ ॥

evaṁ nigūḍhātma-gatiḥ sva-māyayā

gopātmajatvaṁ caritair viḍambayan

reme ramā-lālita-pāda-pallavo

grāmyaiḥ samaṁ grāmya-vad īśa-ceṣṭitaḥ

Translation

In this way the Supreme Lord, whose soft lotus feet are personally attended by the goddess of fortune, concealed His transcendental opulences by His internal potency and acted like the son of a cowherd. Yet even while enjoying like a village boy in the company of other village residents, He often exhibited feats only God could perform.

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.

The Supreme Lord Plays a Village Boy

  1. 1

    The goddess of fortune personally attends the Supreme Lord’s soft lotus feet.

  2. 2

    By His internal potency, Kṛṣṇa concealed His transcendental opulences and acted like the son of a cowherd.

  3. 3

    Although He enjoyed like a village boy among village residents, He often performed feats only God could perform. His simple manner did not diminish His identity as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. evamin this way
  2. nigūḍhahidden away
  3. ātma-gatiḥHis personal opulence
  4. sva-māyayāby His own mystical potency
  5. gopa-ātmajatvamthe status of being the son of a cowherd
  6. caritaiḥby His activities
  7. viḍambayanpretending
  8. remeHe 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

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 you remember Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position while appreciating His village pastimes?

Practice

Reread this translation once, noticing both Kṛṣṇa’s simple village life and His divine greatness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Plays a Village BoyThis 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 10.15.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.