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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
10.20.4210.20.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.43

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

खमशोभत निर्मेघं शरद्विमलतारकम् ।

सत्त्वयुक्तं यथा चित्तं शब्दब्रह्मार्थदर्शनम् ॥ ४३ ॥

kham aśobhata nirmeghaṁ

śarad-vimala-tārakam

sattva-yuktaṁ yathā cittaṁ

śabda-brahmārtha-darśanam

Translation

Free of clouds and filled with clearly visible stars, the autumn sky shone brilliantly, just like the spiritual consciousness of one who has directly experienced the purport of the Vedic scriptures.

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.

A Pure Heart Shines Clearly

  1. 1

    The clear, starry autumn sky resembles the spiritual consciousness of someone who has directly experienced the meaning of the Vedic scriptures.

  2. 2

    The sky can also be compared to the pure heart of a devotee.

  3. 3

    The spiritual nature, called vaikuṇṭha, is always brilliant, clean and blissful. It immediately satisfies all the desires of the soul; this is the secret of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The clear and starry autumn sky can also be compared to the pure heart of the devotee.
  • The spiritual nature is always brilliant, clean and blissful, and this spiritual nature, called vaikuṇṭha, immediately satisfies all the desires of the soul.

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. khamthe sky
  2. aśobhatashone brilliantly
  3. nirmeghamfree from clouds
  4. śaratin the fall
  5. vimalaclear
  6. tārakamand starry
  7. sattva-yuktamendowed with (spiritual) goodness
  8. yathājust 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: “devotee”

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 does this description suggest about the satisfaction my soul seeks?

Practice

Reread the description of spiritual nature and spend a minute reflecting on its brilliance, purity and bliss.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Pure Heart Shines ClearlyThis 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 10.20.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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