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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed
10.23.1310.23.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.23.14inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मां ज्ञापयत पत्नीभ्य: ससङ्कर्षणमागतम् ।

दास्यन्ति काममन्नं व: स्निग्धा मय्युषिता धिया ॥ १४ ॥

māṁ jñāpayata patnībhyaḥ

sa-saṅkarṣaṇam āgatam

dāsyanti kāmam annaṁ vaḥ

snigdhā mayy uṣitā dhiyā

Translation

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Tell the wives of the brāhmaṇas that I have come here with Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. They will certainly give you all the food you want, for they are most affectionate toward Me and, indeed, with their intelligence reside in Me alone.

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.

Affection Keeps the Mind With Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Although the brāhmaṇas’ wives remained physically at home, their minds resided in the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa through intense affection.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa did not ask the boys to tell the wives He was hungry, knowing that this would severely distress them.

  3. 3

    He knew they would happily give the requested food out of affection for Him. Their transcendental intelligence rested in Him, so they would not heed their husbands’ prohibitions.

Key points from the purport
  • While physically the wives of the brāhmaṇas remained at home, within their minds they resided in the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa because of intense affection for Him.
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the reason Lord Kṛṣṇa did not have the cowherd boys tell the brāhmaṇas’ wives He was hungry is that He knew this would severely distress these devoted ladies.
  • Simply out of affection for Lord Kṛṣṇa, however, the wives would be happy to give all the food requested of them.

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 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. māmMe
  2. jñāpayataplease announce
  3. patnībhyaḥto the wives
  4. sa-saṅkarṣaṇamtogether with Lord Balarāma
  5. āgatamarrived
  6. dāsyantithey will give
  7. kāmamas much as you desire
  8. annamfood
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “distress”

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 keep my mind with Kṛṣṇa while carrying out duties at home?

Practice

During one household task today, consciously remember Kṛṣṇa with affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection Keeps the Mind With 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 10.23.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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