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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 22: Kṛṣṇa Steals the Garments of the Unmarried Gopīs
10.22.3010.22.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.22.31-32

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.22.31-32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हे स्तोककृष्ण हे अंशो श्रीदामन् सुबलार्जुन ।

विशाल वृषभौजस्विन् देवप्रस्थ वरूथप ॥ ३१ ॥

पश्यतैतान् महाभागान् परार्थैकान्तजीवितान् ।

वातवर्षातपहिमान् सहन्तो वारयन्ति न: ॥ ३२ ॥

he stoka-kṛṣṇa he aṁśo

śrīdāman subalārjuna

viśāla vṛṣabhaujasvin

devaprastha varūthapa

paśyataitān mahā-bhāgān

parārthaikānta-jīvitān

vāta-varṣātapa-himān

sahanto vārayanti naḥ

Translation

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O Stoka Kṛṣṇa and Aṁśu, O Śrīdāma, Subala and Arjuna, O Viśāla, Vṛṣabha, Ojasvī, Devaprastha and Varūthapa, just see these greatly fortunate trees, whose lives are completely dedicated to the benefit of others. Even while tolerating the wind, rain, heat and snow, they protect us from these elements.

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.

True Fortune Is Serving Others

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa called the trees greatly fortunate because their lives were completely dedicated to the benefit of others.

  2. 2

    The trees tolerate wind, rain, heat and snow while protecting others from these same conditions.

  3. 3

    Preparing to bless the wives of the hard-hearted ritualistic brāhmaṇas, Kṛṣṇa indicated that helpful trees are superior to brāhmaṇas who neglect others’ welfare. Members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should soberly study this point.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa was preparing to bestow His mercy on the wives of the hard-hearted ritualistic brāhmaṇas, and in these verses the Lord indicates that even trees who are dedicated to the welfare of others are superior to brāhmaṇas who are not.
  • Certainly the members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should soberly study this point.

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 22: Kṛṣṇa Steals the Garments of the Unmarried Gopīs

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Lord then said that the life of a tree is most excellent, for even while feeling pain a tree continues to protect others from heat, rain, snow and so on. With its leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark, wood, fragrance, sap, ashes, pulp and sprouts, a tree fulfills the desires of everyone.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. he stoka-kṛṣṇaO Stoka-kṛṣṇa
  2. he aṁśoO Aṁśu
  3. śrīdāman subala arjunaO Śrīdāmā, Subala and Arjuna
  4. viśāla vṛṣabha ojasvinO Viśāla, Vṛṣabha and Ojasvī
  5. devaprastha varūthapaO Devaprastha and Varūthapa
  6. paśyatajust see
  7. etānthese
  8. mahā-bhāgānmost fortunate
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.22

    In this verse: “protect”, “protecting”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.22

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.22

    In this verse: “bless”

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

Does my devotional life include practical concern for the welfare of others?

Practice

Do one small act today that gives someone comfort or protection, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s praise of the trees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Fortune Is Serving OthersThis 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 10.22.31-32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.