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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 19: Swallowing the Forest Fire
10.19.1410.19.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.19.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.19.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गा: सन्निवर्त्य सायाह्ने सहरामो जनार्दन: ।

वेणुं विरणयन् गोष्ठमगाद् गोपैरभिष्टुत: ॥ १५ ॥

gāḥ sannivartya sāyāhne

saha-rāmo janārdanaḥ

veṇuṁ viraṇayan goṣṭham

agād gopair abhiṣṭutaḥ

Translation

It was now late in the afternoon, and Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Balarāma, turned the cows back toward home. Playing His flute in a special way, Kṛṣṇa returned to the cowherd village in the company of His cowherd friends, who chanted His glories.

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.

Returning Home With Kṛṣṇa’s Glories

  1. 1

    Late in the afternoon, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma turned the cows back toward home.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa played His flute in a special way as He returned to the cowherd village.

  3. 3

    His cowherd friends accompanied Him and chanted His glories.

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 19: Swallowing the Forest Fire

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Seeing this wonderful display of mystic potency, the cowherd boys thought Kṛṣṇa must be a demigod, and they began to praise Him. Then they all returned home.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.19
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gāḥthe cows
  2. sannivartyaturning back
  3. sāya-ahnein the late afternoon
  4. saha-rāmaḥtogether with Lord Balarāma
  5. janārdanaḥŚrī Kṛṣṇa
  6. veṇumHis flute
  7. viraṇayanplaying in a specific way
  8. goṣṭhamto the cowherd village
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 10.19

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.19

    In this verse: “chanted”

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 could you follow the boys’ example of praising Kṛṣṇa during an ordinary part of your day?

Practice

During a walk or your return home today, softly speak one of Kṛṣṇa’s glories described in this chapter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReturning Home With Kṛṣṇa’s GloriesThis 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 10.19.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.