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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
10.20.2310.20.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.24

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

व्यमुञ्चन् वायुभिर्नुन्ना भूतेभ्यश्चामृतं घना: ।

यथाशिषो विश्पतय: काले काले द्विजेरिता: ॥ २४ ॥

vyamuñcan vāyubhir nunnā

bhūtebhyaś cāmṛtaṁ ghanāḥ

yathāśiṣo viś-patayaḥ

kāle kāle dvijeritāḥ

Translation

The clouds, impelled by the winds, released their nectarean water for the benefit of all living beings, just as kings, instructed by their brāhmaṇa priests, dispense charity to the citizens.

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.

Guided Charity Nourishes Cooperative Society

  1. 1

    Clouds impelled by the winds release water for all living beings. This water is welcomed like nectar.

  2. 2

    Similarly, brāhmaṇas inspire kings and wealthy merchants to distribute wealth through charity in the performance of great sacrifices.

  3. 3

    The brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras are meant to live peacefully and cooperatively. Expert Vedic brāhmaṇas guide this cooperation, performing sacrifices and distributing wealth equally.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “In the rainy season, the clouds, tossed by the wind, deliver water, which is welcomed like nectar.
  • When the Vedic followers, the brāhmaṇas, inspire rich men like kings and the wealthy mercantile community to give charity in the performance of great sacrifices, the distribution of such wealth is also nectarean.
  • The four sections of human society, namely the brāhmaṇas, the kṣatriyas, the vaiśyas and the śūdras, are meant to live peacefully in a cooperative mood; this is possible when they are guided by expert Vedic brāhmaṇas who perform sacrifices and distribute wealth equally.”

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. vyamuñcanthey released
  2. vāyubhiḥby the winds
  3. nunnāḥimpelled
  4. bhūtebhyaḥto all living beings
  5. caand
  6. amṛtamtheir nectarean water
  7. ghanāḥthe clouds
  8. yathāas
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “kings”, “citizens”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealthy”

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 use what I have to support others in a cooperative spirit?

Practice

Share a small portion of your food or money with someone in need today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGuided Charity Nourishes Cooperative SocietyThis 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 10.20.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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