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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 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed
10.23.10-1110.23.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd boyssince 10.23.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न ते यदोमिति प्रोचुर्न नेति च परन्तप ।

गोपा निराशा: प्रत्येत्य तथोचु: कृष्णरामयो: ॥ १२ ॥

na te yad om iti procur

na neti ca parantapa

gopā nirāśāḥ pratyetya

tathocuḥ kṛṣṇa-rāmayoḥ

Translation

When the brāhmaṇas failed to reply even with a simple yes or no, O chastiser of the enemy [Parīkṣit], the cowherd boys returned disappointed to Kṛṣṇa and Rāma and reported this to Them.

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.

Returning to Kṛṣṇa in Disappointment

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas did not answer the cowherd boys, even with a simple yes or no.

  2. 2

    The boys felt disappointed and returned to Kṛṣṇa and Rāma.

  3. 3

    They reported what had happened to Them. Their disappointment did not prevent them from returning to Kṛṣṇa.

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 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The boys returned disappointed, but the Lord sent them off again, advising them to ask the brāhmaṇas’ wives for the food. These ladies had heard of Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental qualities and were very much attached to Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. tethey
  3. yatwhen
  4. om“so be it”
  5. itithus
  6. procuḥdid speak
  7. nanot
  8. na“no”
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 10.23

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

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

When I feel disappointed in service, do I turn toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to express one disappointment to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReturning to Kṛṣṇa in DisappointmentThis 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 10.23.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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