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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 21: The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
10.21.1410.21.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.21.15

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

नद्यस्तदा तदुपधार्य मुकुन्दगीत-

मावर्तलक्षितमनोभवभग्नवेगा: ।

आलिङ्गनस्थगितमूर्मिभुजैर्मुरारे-

र्गृह्णन्ति पादयुगलं कमलोपहारा: ॥ १५ ॥

nadyas tadā tad upadhārya mukunda-gītam

āvarta-lakṣita-manobhava-bhagna-vegāḥ

āliṅgana-sthagitam ūrmi-bhujair murārer

gṛhṇanti pāda-yugalaṁ kamalopahārāḥ

Translation

When the rivers hear the flute-song of Kṛṣṇa, their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace Murāri’s lotus feet and, holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers.

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.

Let Attraction Become Service to Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Even sacred rivers such as the Yamunā and the Mānasa-gaṅgā are enchanted by Kṛṣṇa’s flute-song. Their attraction appears in their broken currents and whirlpools.

  2. 2

    With the arms of their waves, the rivers embrace Murāri’s lotus feet. They hold His feet and offer lotus flowers.

  3. 3

    The gopīs point to the many kinds of living beings overwhelmed by conjugal love for Kṛṣṇa. They ask why their own intense desire to serve Him in that relationship should be criticized.

Key points from the purport
  • Even such sacred bodies of water as the Yamunā and the Mānasa-gaṅgā are enchanted by the flute-song, and thus they are disturbed by conjugal attraction for young Kṛṣṇa.
  • The gopīs are implying that since many different types of living beings are overwhelmed by conjugal love for Kṛṣṇa, why should the gopīs be criticized for their intense desire to serve Kṛṣṇa in the conjugal relationship?

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.2.45

Elsewhere in the Tenth Canto it is said: “Hearing the song of Lord Mukunda’s flute, the rivers then stopped their currents, although the minds of the rivers could still be ascertained from the presence of whirlpools.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 flowing rivers become perturbed by conjugal attraction for Kṛṣṇa and, stopping their flow, embrace Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet with the arms of their waves, while the clouds serve as parasols to shade Kṛṣṇa’s head from the hot sun. The aborigine women of the Śabara race, seeing the grass stained by the red kuṅkuma adorning the Lord’s lotus feet, smear this vermilion powder upon their breasts and faces to alleviate the distress created by Cupid.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nadyaḥthe rivers
  2. tadāthen
  3. tatthat
  4. upadhāryaperceiving
  5. mukundaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  6. gītamthe song of His flute
  7. āvartaby their whirlpools
  8. lakṣitamanifest
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.21

    In this verse: “love”

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 can I express my attraction to Kṛṣṇa through a small act of service?

Practice

Meditate for one minute on the rivers offering lotus flowers at Kṛṣṇa’s feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Attraction Become Service to KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.21.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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