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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.20.510.20.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.6

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तडिद्वन्तो महामेघाश्चण्डश्वसनवेपिता: ।

प्रीणनं जीवनं ह्यस्य मुमुचु: करुणा इव ॥ ६ ॥

taḍidvanto mahā-meghāś

caṇḍa-śvasana-vepitāḥ

prīṇanaṁ jīvanaṁ hy asya

mumucuḥ karuṇā iva

Translation

Flashing with lightning, great clouds were shaken and swept about by fierce winds. Just like merciful persons, the clouds gave their lives for the pleasure of this world.

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.

Compassion Gives Openhandedly

  1. 1

    The clouds poured rain upon the parched earth, freely giving their water even as they themselves were dissipated.

  2. 2

    They resemble compassionate people who give their lives or wealth for society’s happiness. Their abundant rain is compared to openhanded charity.

  3. 3

    The purport pictures the clouds as distressed by the earth’s condition: lightning lets them see its need, and the winds resemble their heavy breathing.

Key points from the purport
  • Just as great, compassionate personalities sometimes give their lives or wealth for the happiness of society, the rain clouds poured down their rain upon the parched earth.
  • When water is urgently needed after the summer season, the clouds are just like a rich man who, in times of need, distributes his money even by exhausting his whole treasury.
  • Distressed to see the condition of the earth, the clouds tremble in the wind like a compassionate person.

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. taḍit-vantaḥdisplaying lightning
  2. mahā-meghāḥthe great clouds
  3. caṇḍafierce
  4. śvasanaby the wind
  5. vepitāḥshaken
  6. prīṇanamthe gratification
  7. jīvanamtheir life (their water)
  8. hiindeed
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “compassionate”, “distressed”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “merciful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

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 need around you moves you to give generously?

Practice

Give a small amount of money or a useful item today to help someone in need.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.20's connections

Live this todayCompassion Gives OpenhandedlyThis 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 10.20.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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