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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
10.20.710.20.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.8

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

निशामुखेषु खद्योतास्तमसा भान्ति न ग्रहा: ।

यथा पापेन पाषण्डा न हि वेदा: कलौ युगे ॥ ८ ॥

niśā-mukheṣu khadyotās

tamasā bhānti na grahāḥ

yathā pāpena pāṣaṇḍā

na hi vedāḥ kalau yuge

Translation

In the evening twilight during the rainy season, the darkness allowed the glowworms but not the stars to shine forth, just as in the Age of Kali the predominance of sinful activities allows atheistic doctrines to overshadow the true knowledge of the Vedas.

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.

Seek Real Light Through Chanting

  1. 1

    During rainy evenings, glowworms appear while the stars and moon remain hidden. Similarly, in Kali-yuga, atheistic doctrines become prominent while followers of Vedic principles are obscured.

  2. 2

    Material advancement can cover real knowledge. The purport urges readers to seek genuine spiritual illumination rather than the insufficient light of mental speculation.

  3. 3

    Lord Caitanya’s distribution of the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is compared to true luminaries becoming visible through the clouds. Those seeking real light should take advantage of this movement.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments as follows: “During the rainy season, in the evening there are many glowworms visible about the tops of trees, hither and thither, and they glitter just like lights.
  • As clouds sometimes clear, even in the rainy season, and sometimes the moon, stars and sun become visible, so even in this Kali-yuga there are sometimes advantages.
  • People seriously eager to find real light should take advantage of this movement instead of looking toward the light of mental speculators and atheists.”

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. niśā-mukheṣuduring the moments of evening twilight
  2. khadyotāḥthe glowworms
  3. tamasābecause of the darkness
  4. bhāntishine
  5. nanot
  6. grahāḥthe planets
  7. yathāas
  8. pāpenabecause of sinful activities
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

Where do you look for spiritual light when prominent ideas compete for your attention?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes today chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Real Light Through ChantingThis 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 10.20.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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