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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
10.20.110.20.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गोपवृद्धाश्च गोप्यश्च तदुपाकर्ण्य विस्मिता: ।

मेनिरे देवप्रवरौ कृष्णरामौ व्रजं गतौ ॥ २ ॥

gopa-vṛddhāś ca gopyaś ca

tad upākarṇya vismitāḥ

menire deva-pravarau

kṛṣṇa-rāmau vrajaṁ gatau

Translation

The elder cowherd men and ladies were amazed to hear this account, and they concluded that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be exalted demigods who had appeared in Vṛndāvana.

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.

Wonder at Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma

  1. 1

    The elder cowherd men and ladies listened to the account of Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s activities.

  2. 2

    Hearing the account filled them with amazement.

  3. 3

    They concluded that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be exalted demigods who had appeared in Vṛndāvana. The verse describes the elders’ understanding.

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. gopa-vṛddhāḥthe elder cowherd men
  2. caand
  3. gopyaḥthe cowherd ladies
  4. caalso
  5. tatthat
  6. upākarṇyahearing
  7. vismitāḥsurprised
  8. menirethey considered
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

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

What inspires wonder in you when you hear about Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma?

Practice

Read the verse slowly and pause to reflect on the elders’ amazement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWonder at Kṛṣṇa and BalarāmaThis 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 10.20.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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