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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 20: The Rainy Season and Autumn in Vṛndāvana
10.20.2010.20.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.21

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

पीत्वाप: पादपा: पद्भ‍िरासन्नानात्ममूर्तय: ।

प्राक् क्षामास्तपसा श्रान्ता यथा कामानुसेवया ॥ २१ ॥

pītvāpaḥ pādapāḥ padbhir

āsan nānātma-mūrtayaḥ

prāk kṣāmās tapasā śrāntā

yathā kāmānusevayā

Translation

The trees had grown thin and dry, but after they drank the newly fallen rainwater through their feet, their various bodily features blossomed. Similarly, one whose body has grown thin and weak from austerity again exhibits his healthy bodily features upon enjoying the material objects gained through that austerity.

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.

Austerity Can Serve Material Desire

  1. 1

    Trees are called pādapa because they drink through their roots, which are likened to feet. Rain brought new leaves, sprouts and blossoms to the trees in Vṛndāvana.

  2. 2

    Materialistic persons often perform severe austerities to acquire what they desire. Politicians and businessmen may deny themselves comfort to achieve success.

  3. 3

    After gaining the fruits of their austerity, such persons again become healthy and satisfied, like trees drinking rainwater after a dry, hot summer.

Key points from the purport
  • Trees are called pādapa because they drink through their roots, which are likened to feet.
  • Upon drinking the newly fallen rainwater, the trees in Vṛndāvana began to manifest new leaves, sprouts and blossoms, and they thus enjoyed new growth.
  • Such austere persons, upon acquiring the fruits of their austerity, again become healthy and satisfied, like trees eagerly drinking rainwater after enduring the austerity of a dry, hot summer.

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. pītvāhaving drunk
  2. āpaḥwater
  3. pāda-pāḥthe trees
  4. padbhiḥwith their feet
  5. āsanassumed
  6. nānāvarious
  7. ātma-mūrtayaḥbodily features
  8. prākpreviously
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “materialistic”

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 desired reward is motivating the hardships I willingly accept?

Practice

Write down one comfort you have given up and the result you hope to gain.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAusterity Can Serve Material DesireThis 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 10.20.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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