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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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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
10.20.3910.20.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.40

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

निश्चलाम्बुरभूत्तूष्णीं समुद्र: शरदागमे ।

आत्मन्युपरते सम्यङ्‍मुनिर्व्युपरतागम: ॥ ४० ॥

niścalāmbur abhūt tūṣṇīṁ

samudraḥ śarad-āgame

ātmany uparate samyaṅ

munir vyuparatāgamaḥ

Translation

With the arrival of autumn, the ocean and the lakes became silent, their water still, just like a sage who has desisted from all material activities and given up his recitation of Vedic mantras.

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.

Beyond Personal Desire, Glorify the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    In autumn, the ocean and lakes became still and silent, like a sage who has stopped material activities.

  2. 2

    Ordinary Vedic mantras are recited for material promotion, mystic power and impersonal salvation.

  3. 3

    When completely free of personal desire, a sage exclusively voices the transcendental glories of the Supreme Lord. This stillness is not the end of devotional glorification.

Key points from the purport
  • One recites ordinary Vedic mantras for material promotion, mystic power and impersonal salvation.
  • But when a sage is completely free of personal desire, he vibrates the transcendental glories of the Supreme Lord exclusively.

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. niścalamotionless
  2. ambuḥits water
  3. abhūtbecame
  4. tūṣnīmquiet
  5. samudraḥthe ocean
  6. śaratof the fall season
  7. āgamewith the coming
  8. ātmaniwhen the self
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “recitation”, “glorification”, “recited”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”

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

When you turn to the Supreme Lord, are you seeking personal gain or the opportunity to glorify Him?

Practice

Spend a few minutes glorifying the Supreme Lord without asking for a personal benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeyond Personal Desire, Glorify the Supreme LordThis 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 10.20.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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