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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
10.20.4010.20.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.41

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

केदारेभ्यस्त्वपोऽगृह्णन् कर्षका द‍ृढसेतुभि: ।

यथा प्राणै: स्रवज्ज्ञानं तन्निरोधेन योगिन: ॥ ४१ ॥

kedārebhyas tv apo ’gṛhṇan

karṣakā dṛḍha-setubhiḥ

yathā prāṇaiḥ sravaj jñānaṁ

tan-nirodhena yoginaḥ

Translation

In the same way that the practitioners of yoga bring their senses under strict control to check their consciousness from flowing out through the agitated senses, the farmers erected strong mud banks to keep the water within their rice fields from draining out.

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.

Conserve Energy for Loving Service to Mukunda

  1. 1

    Farmers built strong banks to preserve the water in their fields when little further rain was expected. Similarly, a person advanced in self-realization protects energy by controlling the senses.

  2. 2

    The purport advises retiring from family life after fifty and conserving bodily energy for advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Sense control must be joined with transcendental loving service to Mukunda. Without controlling and engaging the senses in His service, salvation is not possible.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “In autumn, farmers save the water within the fields by building strong walls so that the water contained within the field cannot run out.
  • Similarly, a person who is actually advanced in self-realization protects his energy by controlling the senses.
  • Unless one is able to control the senses and engage them in the transcendental loving service of Mukunda, there is no possibility of salvation.”

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. kedārebhyaḥfrom the flooded fields of rice paddy
  2. tuand
  3. apaḥthe water
  4. agṛhṇantook
  5. karṣakāḥthe farmers
  6. dṛḍhastrong
  7. setubhiḥwith dikes
  8. yathāas
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “protects”

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

Which sense-driven habit drains energy that you could use in loving service to Mukunda?

Practice

Set aside one distracting sense activity today and use the saved time for loving service to Mukunda.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConserve Energy for Loving Service to MukundaThis 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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