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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
10.15.2610.15.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd boyssince 10.15.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं सुहृद्वच: श्रुत्वा सुहृत्प्रियचिकीर्षया ।

प्रहस्य जग्मतुर्गोपैर्वृतौ तालवनं प्रभू ॥ २७ ॥

evaṁ suhṛd-vacaḥ śrutvā

suhṛt-priya-cikīrṣayā

prahasya jagmatur gopair

vṛtau tālavanaṁ prabhū

Translation

Hearing the words of Their dear companions, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma laughed and, desiring to please them, set off for the Tālavana surrounded by Their cowherd boyfriends.

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.

The Lord’s Smile Encourages His Friends

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa smiles at His friends’ request, thinking how a mere ass could be so formidable.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord’s smile and laughter dry up the ocean of tears caused by worldly suffering for those who bow down to Him.

  3. 3

    Desiring to please and encourage Their friends, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma laugh and immediately set out with them for Tālavana.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa was thinking, “How can a mere ass be so formidable?”
  • Indeed, for those who bow down to the Lord, His smile and laughter dry up the ocean of tears caused by the intense suffering of this world.”
  • Thus, to encourage Their boyfriends, Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma smiled, laughed and immediately set out with them for the Tāla forest.

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

The purport of SB 10.15.27 quotesSB 3.28.32

As stated by Lord Kapila in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.28.32), hāsaṁ harer avanatākhila-loka-tīvra-śokāśru-sāgara-viśoṣaṇam aty-udāram: “The smile and laughter of the Supreme Lord Hari is most magnanimous.

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:

Lord Rāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa, hearing of the situation, set off for this forest to fulfill the desire of Their companions. Arriving at the Tālavana, Lord Balarāma shook many fruits out of the palm trees, and as soon as He did so the jackass demon, Dhenuka, ran swiftly to attack Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. suhṛtof Their friends
  3. vacaḥthe words
  4. śrutvāhearing
  5. suhṛtto Their friends
  6. priyapleasure
  7. cikīrṣayādesiring to give
  8. prahasyalaughing
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: “companions”, “friends’”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “suffering”

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 does the Lord’s desire to encourage His friends reveal about His loving care?

Practice

Bow down to the Lord today and spend a moment remembering His generous smile.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 3.28.32

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.15's connections

Live this todayThe Lord’s Smile Encourages His FriendsThis 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 10.15.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.