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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
10.20.3510.20.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.36

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

गिरयो मुमुचुस्तोयं क्‍वचिन्न मुमुचु: शिवम् ।

यथा ज्ञानामृतं काले ज्ञानिनो ददते न वा ॥ ३६ ॥

girayo mumucus toyaṁ

kvacin na mumucuḥ śivam

yathā jñānāmṛtaṁ kāle

jñānino dadate na vā

Translation

During this season the mountains sometimes released their pure water and sometimes did not, just as experts in transcendental science sometimes give the nectar of transcendental knowledge and sometimes do not.

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.

Spiritual Teachers Speak According to Divine Desire

  1. 1

    During autumn, mountains sometimes release pure water and sometimes do not.

  2. 2

    Similarly, great saintly teachers sometimes speak expansively on spiritual knowledge and sometimes remain silent.

  3. 3

    A self-realized soul is closely in touch with the Supreme Soul. Such a teacher describes the Absolute Truth according to His desires and the specific circumstances.

Key points from the purport
  • The first part of this chapter described the rainy season, and the second part has been dealing with the autumn season, which begins when the rain stops.
  • During the rainy season water always flows from the mountains, but during the autumn the water sometimes flows and sometimes does not.
  • Similarly, great saintly teachers sometimes speak expansively on spiritual knowledge, and sometimes they are silent.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.2.46

In this connection Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has quoted from the Tenth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.20.36): “Sometimes in autumn the water falls down from the tops of the hills to supply clean water, and sometimes the water stops.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. girayaḥthe mountains
  2. mumucuḥreleased
  3. toyamtheir water
  4. kvacitsometimes
  5. na mumucuḥthey did not release
  6. śivampure
  7. yathājust as
  8. jñānaof transcendental knowledge
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “absolute truth”

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 does this verse help you appreciate both a spiritual teacher’s words and silence?

Practice

Before discussing spiritual knowledge today, pause to consider whether the circumstances favor speaking or listening quietly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Teachers Speak According to Divine 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.

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