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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
10.20.810.20.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.20.9

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

श्रुत्वा पर्जन्यनिनदं मण्डुका: ससृजुर्गिर: ।

तूष्णीं शयाना: प्राग् यद्वद्ब्राह्मणा नियमात्यये ॥ ९ ॥

śrutvā parjanya-ninadaṁ

maṇḍukāḥ sasṛjur giraḥ

tūṣṇīṁ śayānāḥ prāg yadvad

brāhmaṇā niyamātyaye

Translation

The frogs, who had all along been lying silent, suddenly began croaking when they heard the rumbling of the rain clouds, in the same way that brāhmaṇa students, who perform their morning duties in silence begin reciting their lessons when called by their teacher.

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.

Respond to the Spiritual Teacher’s Call

  1. 1

    Silent frogs began croaking when they heard thunder, like students beginning their lessons when called by their teacher.

  2. 2

    Under the spiritual master’s direction, students rise early, complete their morning duties, and study the Vedas or chant Vedic mantras.

  3. 3

    The purport describes people in Kali-yuga as sleeping in darkness. A great ācārya’s call awakens them to study the Vedas and acquire actual knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “After the first rainfall, when there is a thundering sound in the clouds, all the frogs begin to croak, like students suddenly engaged in reading their studies.
  • Students are generally supposed to rise early in the morning.
  • By the order of the spiritual master they immediately rise, and after finishing their morning duties they sit down to study the Vedas or chant Vedic mantras.

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. śrutvāhearing
  2. parjanyaof the rain clouds
  3. ninadamthe resounding
  4. maṇḍukāḥthe frogs
  5. sasṛjuḥemitted
  6. giraḥtheir sounds
  7. tūṣṇīmsilently
  8. śayānāḥlying
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “heard”, “reciting”, “chant”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.20

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

How readily do you respond to guidance that calls you toward spiritual study?

Practice

Set a morning reminder today for a short period of scriptural study after your morning duties.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespond to the Spiritual Teacher’s CallThis 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 10.20.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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