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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
10.15.1910.15.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.20

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

श्रीदामा नाम गोपालो रामकेशवयो: सखा ।

सुबलस्तोककृष्णाद्या गोपा: प्रेम्णेदमब्रुवन् ॥ २० ॥

śrīdāmā nāma gopālo

rāma-keśavayoḥ sakhā

subala-stokakṛṣṇādyā

gopāḥ premṇedam abruvan

Translation

Once, some of the cowherd boys — Śrīdāmā, the very close friend of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, along with Subala, Stokakṛṣṇa and others — lovingly spoke the following words.

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.

Let Love Motivate Your Requests

  1. 1

    Śrīdāmā, a very close friend of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, spoke along with Subala, Stokakṛṣṇa and other cowherd boys.

  2. 2

    Their request was motivated by love, not personal desire.

  3. 3

    They were eager for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to exhibit Their demon-killing pastimes and enjoy the delicious fruits of the Tāla forest.

Key points from the purport
  • The word premṇā, “with love,” indicates that the request the cowherd boys are about to place before Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma is motivated by love, not personal desire.
  • The cowherd boys were eager for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to exhibit Their pastimes of killing demons and to enjoy the delicious fruits of the Tāla forest, and therefore they made the following request.

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:

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. śrīdāmā nāmanamed Śrīdāmā
  2. gopālaḥthe cowherd boy
  3. rāma-keśavayoḥof Lord Rāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa
  4. sakhāthe friend
  5. subala-stokakṛṣṇa-ādyāḥSubala, Stokakṛṣṇa and others
  6. gopāḥcowherd boys
  7. premṇāwith love
  8. idamthis
  9. abruvanspoke
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: “friend”, “cowherd boys”

  • 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

When you make a request to the Lord, how much is it shaped by love rather than personal desire?

Practice

Before making one prayer today, pause and consider how your request can express love for the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Love Motivate Your RequestsThis 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 10.15.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.