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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.20.1910.20.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.20

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

मेघागमोत्सवा हृष्टा: प्रत्यनन्दञ्छिखण्डिन: ।

गृहेषु तप्तनिर्विण्णा यथाच्युतजनागमे ॥ २० ॥

meghāgamotsavā hṛṣṭāḥ

pratyanandañ chikhaṇḍinaḥ

gṛheṣu tapta-nirviṇṇā

yathācyuta-janāgame

Translation

The peacocks became festive and cried out a joyful greeting when they saw the clouds arrive, just as people distressed in household life feel pleasure when the pure devotees of the infallible Supreme Lord visit them.

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.

Devotee Association Brings Joy

  1. 1

    After the dry summer, peacocks joyfully greeted the first rain clouds and danced in happiness.

  2. 2

    Their joy resembles the pleasure felt by people distressed in household life when pure devotees of the infallible Supreme Lord visit them.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Prabhupāda observed that students who had been dry and morose became jubilant through contact with devotees and coming to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • After the dry summer season, the peacocks become jubilant with the arrival of the first thundering rain clouds, and thus they dance in great happiness.
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments, “We have practical experience of this: many of our students were dry and morose previous to their coming to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but having come into contact with devotees they are now dancing like jubilant peacocks.”

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. meghaof clouds
  2. āgamabecause of the arrival
  3. utsavāḥwho celebrate a festival
  4. hṛṣṭāḥbecoming joyful
  5. pratyanandanthey cried out in greeting
  6. śikhaṇḍinaḥthe peacocks
  7. gṛheṣuwithin their homes
  8. taptathose who are distressed
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “distressed”

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 has contact with devotees brought joy into my life?

Practice

Reach out to a devotee today and arrange a little time together.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotee Association Brings JoyThis 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 10.20.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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