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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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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
10.15.110.15.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.15.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तन्माधवो वेणुमुदीरयन् वृतो

गोपैर्गृणद्भ‍ि: स्वयशो बलान्वित: ।

पशून् पुरस्कृत्य पशव्यमाविशद्

विहर्तुकाम: कुसुमाकरं वनम् ॥ २ ॥

tan mādhavo veṇum udīrayan vṛto

gopair gṛṇadbhiḥ sva-yaśo balānvitaḥ

paśūn puraskṛtya paśavyam āviśad

vihartu-kāmaḥ kusumākaraṁ vanam

Translation

Thus desiring to enjoy pastimes, Lord Mādhava, sounding His flute, surrounded by cowherd boys who were chanting His glories, and accompanied by Lord Baladeva, kept the cows before Him and entered the Vṛndāvana forest, which was full of flowers and rich with nourishment for the animals.

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.

Mādhava Brings Joy to Vṛndāvana

  1. 1

    The name Mādhava identifies Kṛṣṇa as the consort of Lakṣmī and as one who descended in the dynasty of Madhu. It also points to His enjoyment of conjugal love.

  2. 2

    Since spring is also called Mādhava, Kṛṣṇa’s entrance made the forest display all the opulences of spring, with flowers, breezes and a celestial atmosphere.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa’s flute gave inconceivable bliss to the residents of Vraja-dhāma. Entering the forest and playing His flute were daily pastimes in spiritual Vṛndāvana.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the spring season is also known as Mādhava, it is understood that as soon as Lord Kṛṣṇa entered the Vṛndāvana forest, it automatically exhibited all the opulences of spring, becoming filled with flowers, breezes and a celestial atmosphere.
  • Another reason Lord Kṛṣṇa is known as Mādhava is that He enjoys His pastimes in madhu, the taste of conjugal love.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa would loudly sound His flute as He entered the forest of Śrī Vṛndāvana, thus giving inconceivable bliss to all the residents of His hometown, Vraja-dhāma.

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:

Revealing Their boyhood ( paugaṇḍa) phase of pastimes, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa were one day bringing the cows to pasture when They entered an attractive forest decorated with a clear lake. There They began playing forest sports along with Their friends.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatthus
  2. mādhavaḥLord Śrī Mādhava
  3. veṇumHis flute
  4. udīrayansounding
  5. vṛtaḥsurrounded
  6. gopaiḥby the cowherd boys
  7. gṛṇadbhiḥwho were chanting
  8. sva-yaśaḥHis glories
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”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “chanting”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “love”

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 might remembering Mādhava’s pastimes deepen my joy in glorifying Him?

Practice

Read the translation aloud once, joining the cowherd boys in remembering Kṛṣṇa’s glories.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMādhava Brings Joy to VṛndāvanaThis 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 10.15.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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