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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 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vṛndāvana
10.20.1810.20.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.19

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न रराजोडुपश्छन्न: स्वज्योत्स्‍नाराजितैर्घनै: ।

अहंमत्या भासितया स्वभासा पुरुषो यथा ॥ १९ ॥

na rarājoḍupaś channaḥ

sva-jyotsnā-rājitair ghanaiḥ

ahaṁ-matyā bhāsitayā

sva-bhāsā puruṣo yathā

Translation

During the rainy season the moon was prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the clouds, which were themselves illumined by the moon’s rays. Similarly, the living being in material existence is prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the false ego, which is itself illumined by the consciousness of the pure soul.

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.

False Ego Covers Pure Consciousness

  1. 1

    Clouds hide the moon even though the moon’s own rays illuminate them. Similarly, false ego covers the soul while being illuminated by the soul’s consciousness.

  2. 2

    False ego means falsely identifying with the material world and material body. It dulls consciousness and prevents direct perception of the soul and God.

  3. 3

    Our original, pure consciousness is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, fully enlightened and blissful. The apparent knowledge and pleasure of material consciousness are only a filtered reflection of that original consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, in our conditioned, material existence we cannot directly perceive the soul, because our consciousness is covered by the false ego, which is the false identification with the material world and the material body.
  • As the Gītā describes, the energy of the soul is consciousness, and when this consciousness manifests through the screen of false ego, it appears as dull, material consciousness, in which there is no direct vision of the soul or God.
  • Similarly, at times material consciousness appears pleasurable or enlightened because it is screening or filtering the original, blissful and enlightened consciousness coming directly from the soul.

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. na rarājadid not shine forth
  2. uḍupaḥthe moon
  3. channaḥcovered
  4. sva-jyotsnāby its own light
  5. rājitaiḥwhich are illuminated
  6. ghanaiḥby the clouds
  7. aham-matyāby false ego
  8. bhāsitayāwhich is illuminated
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

When do I mistake identification with my body or material affairs for my true self?

Practice

Pause once today when thinking about your body or material position, and recall the distinction between the soul’s consciousness and false ego.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFalse Ego Covers Pure ConsciousnessThis 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 10.20.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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