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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba
10.18.710.18.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.18.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

क्रीडिष्यमाणस्तन् कृष्णो भगवान् बलसंयुत: ।

वेणुं विरणयन् गोपैर्गोधनै: संवृतोऽविशत् ॥ ८ ॥

krīḍiṣyamāṇas tat krṣṇo

bhagavān bala-saṁyutaḥ

veṇuṁ viraṇayan gopair

go-dhanaiḥ saṁvṛto ’viśat

Translation

Intending to engage in pastimes, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, accompanied by Lord Balarāma and surrounded by the cowherd boys and the cows, entered the forest of Vṛndāvana as He played His flute.

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 Enters the Forest

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He entered Vṛndāvana’s forest intending to engage in pastimes.

  2. 2

    Lord Balarāma accompanied Him, and the cowherd boys and cows surrounded Him.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa played His flute as He entered the forest.

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 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

At that time Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa would become absorbed in various sports, surrounded by Balarāma and all the cowherd boys. One day they were intently dancing, singing and playing when a demon named Pralamba entered their midst, disguised as a cowherd boy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. krīḍiṣyamāṇaḥintending to play
  2. tatthat (Vṛndāvana forest)
  3. kṛṣṇaḥKṛṣṇa
  4. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. bala-saṁyutaḥaccompanied by Balarāma
  6. veṇumHis flute
  7. viraṇayansounding
  8. gopaiḥby the cowherd boys
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 10.18

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

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 do you appreciate about the Supreme Lord entering the forest with His companions and cows?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering Kṛṣṇa playing His flute as He enters the forest with Balarāma.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Enters the ForestThis 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 10.18.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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