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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
10.20.3210.20.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.33

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

शरदा नीरजोत्पत्त्या नीराणि प्रकृतिं ययु: ।

भ्रष्टानामिव चेतांसि पुनर्योगनिषेवया ॥ ३३ ॥

śaradā nīrajotpattyā

nīrāṇi prakṛtiṁ yayuḥ

bhraṣṭānām iva cetāṁsi

punar yoga-niṣevayā

Translation

The autumn season, which regenerated the lotus flowers, also restored the various bodies of water to their original purity, just as the process of devotional service purifies the minds of the fallen yogīs when they return to it.

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.

Returning to Devotional Service Purifies the Mind

  1. 1

    Autumn regenerated the lotus flowers and restored the bodies of water to their original purity.

  2. 2

    In the same way, devotional service purifies the minds of fallen yogīs when they return to it.

  3. 3

    The comparison offers encouragement to return to devotional service after a lapse.

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. śaradāby the effect of the autumn season
  2. nīrajathe lotus flowers
  3. utpattyāwhich regenerates
  4. nīrāṇithe bodies of water
  5. prakṛtimto their natural state (of cleanliness)
  6. yayuḥreturned
  7. bhraṣṭānāmof those who are fallen
  8. ivajust as
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “purifies”

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 devotional practice could you return to rather than feel discouraged about neglecting it?

Practice

Resume one neglected act of devotional service today, even for a few minutes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReturning to Devotional Service Purifies the MindThis 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.

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