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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
10.20.1410.20.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गिरयो वर्षधाराभिर्हन्यमाना न विव्यथु: ।

अभिभूयमाना व्यसनैर्यथाधोक्षजचेतस: ॥ १५ ॥

girayo varṣa-dhārābhir

hanyamānā na vivyathuḥ

abhibhūyamānā vyasanair

yathādhokṣaja-cetasaḥ

Translation

Just as devotees whose minds are absorbed in the Personality of Godhead remain peaceful even when attacked by all sorts of dangers, the mountains in the rainy season were not at all disturbed by the repeated striking of the rain-bearing clouds.

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.

Remain Steady Through Difficulties

  1. 1

    Mountains remain unshaken under torrents of rain and become cleansed and beautiful. Similarly, devotees absorbed in the Personality of Godhead remain peaceful amid dangers.

  2. 2

    An advanced devotee does not abandon devotional service because of disturbing conditions. Such conditions instead cleanse the heart of attachment to this world.

  3. 3

    A devotee accepts reverses as Lord Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, understanding suffering to result from one’s own previous misdeeds.

Key points from the purport
  • When splashed by torrents of rain, the mountains are not shaken; rather, they are cleansed of dirt and become resplendent and beautiful.
  • Thus the devotee becomes beautiful and resplendent by tolerating difficult conditions.
  • In fact, a devotee accepts all reverses in life as the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa, realizing that all suffering is due to the sufferer’s own previous misdeeds.

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. girayaḥthe mountains
  2. varṣa-dhārābhiḥby the rain-bearing clouds
  3. hanyamānāḥbeing struck
  4. na vivyathuḥdid not shake
  5. abhibhūyamānāḥbeing attacked
  6. vyasanaiḥby dangers
  7. yathāas
  8. adhokṣaja-cetasaḥthose whose minds are absorbed in the Supreme Lord
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “dangers”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “attachment”

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 might I remain steady in devotional service during a present difficulty?

Practice

Keep one small commitment to devotional service today, even if an inconvenience arises.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain Steady Through DifficultiesThis 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 10.20.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.