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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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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.21.8

Who is speaking and story frame

चूतप्रवालबर्हस्तबकोत्पलाब्ज-

मालानुपृक्तपरिधानविचित्रवेशौ ।

मध्ये विरेजतुरलं पशुपालगोष्ठ्यां

रङ्गे यथा नटवरौ क्‍व च गायमानौ ॥ ८ ॥

cūta-pravāla-barha-stabakotpalābja

mālānupṛkta-paridhāna-vicitra-veśau

madhye virejatur alaṁ paśu-pāla-goṣṭhyāṁ

raṅge yathā naṭa-varau kvaca gāyamānau

Translation

Dressed in a charming variety of garments, upon which Their garlands rest, and decorating Themselves with peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly grown mango sprouts and clusters of flower buds, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma shine forth magnificently among the assembly of cowherd boys. They look just like the best of dancers appearing on a dramatic stage, and sometimes They sing.

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.

Remembering Kṛṣṇa Finds Expression in Song

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma shine magnificently among the cowherd boys, dressed in varied garments and decorated with garlands, feathers, flowers and mango sprouts.

  2. 2

    The gopīs wanted to enter the forest and remain concealed behind creepers. They longed to see Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma dancing and singing with Their friends.

  3. 3

    Because the gopīs could not go, they sang in ecstatic love. Their song continued as they remembered Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.

Key points from the purport
  • The gopīs continue singing their ecstatic song as they remember the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • The gopīs wanted to go to the forest where Kṛṣṇa was performing His pastimes and, while remaining concealed, peer through the leaves of the creepers and see the wonder of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma dancing and singing with Their boyfriends.
  • This was their desire, but because they could not go, they sang this song in ecstatic love.

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:

Demigoddesses traveling through the sky in their airplanes are vexed by Cupid, and their garments become loose. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. cūtaof a mango tree
  2. pravālawith young sprouts
  3. barhapeacock feathers
  4. stabakabunches of flowers
  5. utpalalotuses
  6. abjaand lilies
  7. mālāwith garlands
  8. anupṛktatouched
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”, “friends”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstatic”

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 you make room to remember Kṛṣṇa when you cannot do all you wish?

Practice

Read this verse aloud as a small expression of your desire to remember Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembering Kṛṣṇa Finds Expression in 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 10.21.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.