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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
10.20.1610.20.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

लोकबन्धुषु मेघेषु विद्युतश्चलसौहृदा: ।

स्थैर्यं न चक्रु: कामिन्य: पुरुषेषु गुणिष्विव ॥ १७ ॥

loka-bandhuṣu megheṣu

vidyutaś cala-sauhṛdāḥ

sthairyaṁ na cakruḥ kāminyaḥ

puruṣeṣu guṇiṣv iva

Translation

Though the clouds are the well-wishing friends of all living beings, the lightning, fickle in its affinities, moved from one group of clouds to another, like lusty women unfaithful even to virtuous men.

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.

Build Peaceful, Steady Relationships

  1. 1

    Clouds sustain living beings by giving rain, but lightning restlessly moves from one group of clouds to another. The verse compares this fickleness to unfaithfulness even toward a virtuous husband.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a qualified person supports family members or workers. Disturbance in married life can affect the whole family and its livelihood.

  3. 3

    Husband and wife should live peacefully, control sex indulgence and concentrate their minds on Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They should seek steadiness rather than remain restless like lightning.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “During the rainy season, lightning appears in one group of clouds and then immediately in another group of clouds.
  • It is therefore recommended that a woman desiring to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness peacefully live with a husband and that the couple not separate under any condition.
  • When they are combined, they should live peacefully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and should not be restless like the lightning, flashing from one group of clouds to another.”

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. lokaof all the world
  2. bandhuṣuwho are the friends
  3. megheṣuamong the clouds
  4. vidyutaḥthe lightning
  5. cala-sauhṛdāḥfickle in their friendship
  6. sthairyamsteadiness
  7. na cakruḥdid not maintain
  8. kāminyaḥlusty women
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lusty”

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 can I contribute to steadiness and Kṛṣṇa consciousness in my relationships?

Practice

Take one small step toward peaceful relationships today, such as speaking calmly during a disagreement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBuild Peaceful, Steady RelationshipsThis 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 10.20.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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