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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
10.20.610.20.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.7

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तप:कृशा देवमीढा आसीद् वर्षीयसी मही ।

यथैव काम्यतपसस्तनु: सम्प्राप्य तत्फलम् ॥ ७ ॥

tapaḥ-kṛśā deva-mīḍhā

āsīd varṣīyasī mahī

yathaiva kāmya-tapasas

tanuḥ samprāpya tat-phalam

Translation

The earth had been emaciated by the summer heat, but she became fully nourished again when moistened by the god of rain. Thus the earth was like a person whose body has been emaciated by austerities undergone for a material purpose, but who again becomes fully nourished when he achieves the fruit of those austerities.

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.

Austerity Should Restore Spiritual Life

  1. 1

    The earth, weakened by summer heat, flourished after rainfall. This resembles someone becoming nourished after austerities bring a desired material reward.

  2. 2

    Austerities undertaken for material gain bring only temporary results. Their proper purpose is realizing the Supreme Lord and achieving spiritual happiness.

  3. 3

    By accepting austerity in devotional service, one regains spiritual life and enjoys unlimited spiritual bliss.

Key points from the purport
  • The flourishing condition of the earth after a rainy season is compared to the fulfillment of material desires.
  • Actually, one should undergo severe austerities and penances only to achieve spiritual happiness.
  • But if someone undertakes austerities and penances for some material gain, it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā that the results are temporary and are desired only by persons of less intelligence.”

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. tapaḥ-kṛśāemaciated by the summer heat
  2. deva-mīḍhāmercifully sprinkled by the god of rain
  3. āsītbecame
  4. varṣīyasīfully nourished
  5. mahīthe earth
  6. yathā evajust as
  7. kāmyabased on sense gratification
  8. tapasaḥof one whose austerities
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • 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 service”

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

Are your efforts aimed mainly at temporary rewards or at spiritual happiness through devotional service?

Practice

Set aside one small comfort today and use that time for devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAusterity Should Restore Spiritual LifeThis 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 10.20.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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