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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 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vṛndāvana
10.20.1010.20.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.11

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हरिता हरिभि: शष्पैरिन्द्रगोपैश्च लोहिता ।

उच्छिलीन्ध्रकृतच्छाया नृणां श्रीरिव भूरभूत् ॥ ११ ॥

haritā haribhiḥ śaṣpair

indragopaiś ca lohitā

ucchilīndhra-kṛta-cchāyā

nṛṇāṁ śrīr iva bhūr abhūt

Translation

The newly grown grass made the earth emerald green, the indragopa insects added a reddish hue, and white mushrooms added further color and circles of shade. Thus the earth appeared like a person who has suddenly become rich.

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 Earth's Colorful Rainy-Season Opulence

  1. 1

    New grass made the earth emerald green, while indragopa insects added red and white mushrooms added further color and shade.

  2. 2

    The earth appeared like a person who had suddenly become rich.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the comparison refers to men of the royal order. The colorful fields resembled a royal parade displaying a king’s military strength.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī comments that the word nṛṇām indicates men of the royal order.
  • Thus the colorful display of dark green fields decorated with bright red insects and white mushroom umbrellas can be compared to a royal parade displaying the military strength of a king.

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

Attraction and threat → Joy and trust. The pastoral world becomes the setting for protection and love.

Chapters 20–28 of Canto 10: Forest seasons, flute and Govardhana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vṛndāvana

Summary of this chapter:

To enhance the description of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes in this chapter the beauty of Vṛndāvana during autumn and the rainy season. In the course of his presentation he gives various charming instructions in metaphorical terms.
Back to this verse in chapter 10.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. haritāḥgreenish
  2. haribhiḥwhich is green
  3. śaṣpaiḥbecause of the newly grown grass
  4. indragopaiḥbecause of the indragopa insects
  5. caand
  6. lohitāreddish
  7. ucchilīndhraby the mushrooms
  8. kṛtaafforded
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “king’s”

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 does this comparison help you notice the richness of the earth’s appearance?

Practice

Notice a patch of growing plants today and look carefully at its colors and shade.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Earth's Colorful Rainy-Season OpulenceThis 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 10.20.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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