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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
10.21.110.21.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.21.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.21.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कुसुमितवनराजिशुष्मिभृङ्ग-

द्विजकुलघुष्टसर:सरिन्महीध्रम् ।

मधुपतिरवगाह्य चारयन् गा:

सहपशुपालबलश्चुकूज वेणुम् ॥ २ ॥

kusumita-vanarāji-śuṣmi-bhṛṅga

dvija-kula-ghuṣṭa-saraḥ-sarin-mahīdhram

madhupatir avagāhya cārayan gāḥ

saha-paśu-pāla-balaś cukūja veṇum

Translation

The lakes, rivers and hills of Vṛndāvana resounded with the sounds of maddened bees and flocks of birds moving about the flowering trees. In the company of the cowherd boys and Balarāma, Madhupati [Śrī Kṛṣṇa] entered that forest, and while herding the cows He began to vibrate His flute.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Flute Blends With Forest Song

  1. 1

    Vṛndāvana’s lakes, rivers and hills resounded with bees and birds among the flowering trees.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa entered with Balarāma and the cowherd boys and began playing His flute while tending the cows.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa skillfully blended His flute with the lovely sounds of Vṛndāvana’s multicolored birds. Together they created an irresistible, heavenly vibration.

Key points from the purport
  • As suggested by the words cukūja veṇum, Lord Kṛṣṇa skillfully blended the sound of His flute with the lovely sounds of Vṛndāvana’s multicolored birds.

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Balarāma and Their cowherd friends entered the forest to graze the cows, Kṛṣṇa began playing His flute. The gopīs heard the enchanting flute-song and understood that Kṛṣṇa was entering the forest.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kusumitaflowering
  2. vana-rājiamong the groups of trees
  3. śuṣmimaddened
  4. bhṛṅgawith bees
  5. dvijaof birds
  6. kulaand flocks
  7. ghuṣṭaresounding
  8. saraḥits lakes
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.21

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “lovely”

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 draws your attention to Kṛṣṇa in this scene of forest sounds?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, focusing on Kṛṣṇa playing His flute while tending the cows.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Flute Blends With Forest SongThis 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 10.21.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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