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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
10.23.1510.23.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd boyssince 10.23.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नमो वो विप्रपत्नीभ्यो निबोधत वचांसि न: ।

इतोऽविदूरे चरता कृष्णेनेहेषिता वयम् ॥ १६ ॥

namo vo vipra-patnībhyo

nibodhata vacāṁsi naḥ

ito ’vidūre caratā

kṛṣṇeneheṣitā vayam

Translation

[The cowherd boys said:] Obeisances unto you, O wives of the learned brāhmaṇas. Kindly hear our words. We have been sent here by Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is passing by not far from here.

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.

Speaking Respectfully as Kṛṣṇa’s Messengers

  1. 1

    The boys began by offering obeisances to the wives of the learned brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    They politely asked the ladies to hear their words.

  3. 3

    They explained that Lord Kṛṣṇa had sent them and was passing nearby.

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. namaḥobeisances
  2. vaḥunto you
  3. vipra-patnībhyaḥthe wives of the brāhmaṇas
  4. nibodhataplease hear
  5. vacāṁsiwords
  6. naḥour
  7. itaḥfrom here
  8. avidūrenot distant
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”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”

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 can I learn from the boys’ respectful way of delivering Kṛṣṇa’s message?

Practice

Read the boys’ request aloud once, paying attention to its respectful tone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpeaking Respectfully as Kṛṣṇa’s MessengersThis 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 10.23.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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