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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 21: The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
10.21.1210.21.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.21.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd girlssince 10.21.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गावश्च कृष्णमुखनिर्गतवेणुगीत-

पीयूषमुत्तभितकर्णपुटै: पिबन्त्य: ।

शावा: स्‍नुतस्तनपय:कवला: स्म तस्थु-

र्गोविन्दमात्मनि द‍ृशाश्रुकला: स्पृशन्त्य: ॥ १३ ॥

gāvaś ca kṛṣṇa-mukha-nirgata-veṇu-gīta

pīyūṣam uttabhita-karṇa-puṭaiḥ pibantyaḥ

śāvāḥ snuta-stana-payaḥ-kavalāḥ sma tasthur

govindam ātmani dṛśāśru-kalāḥ spṛśantyaḥ

Translation

Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute-song flowing out of Kṛṣṇa’s mouth. The calves, their mouths full of milk from their mothers’ moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled eyes and embrace Him within their hearts.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Receive Govinda Within Your Heart

  1. 1

    The cows raise their ears like vessels and drink the nectar of the flute-song flowing from Kṛṣṇa’s mouth.

  2. 2

    The calves stand still with milk still in their mouths. Their attention rests on Govinda.

  3. 3

    With tear-filled eyes, the calves take Govinda within themselves and embrace Him in their hearts.

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 21: The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The ears of the cows stand on end as they drink the nectar of this flute-song, and their calves simply stand stunned, the milk they have been drinking from their mothers’ udders still in their mouths. The birds take shelter of the branches of the trees and close their eyes, listening to the song of Kṛṣṇa’s flute with rapt attention.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gāvaḥthe cows
  2. caand
  3. kṛṣṇa-mukhafrom the mouth of Lord Kṛṣṇa
  4. nirgataemitted
  5. veṇuof the flute
  6. gītaof the song
  7. pīyūṣamthe nectar
  8. uttabhitaraised high
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.21

    In this verse: “mothers’”

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 would it mean for me to give Govinda my undivided attention?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering Govinda and the calves embracing Him within their hearts.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Govinda Within Your HeartThis 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 10.21.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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