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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
10.23.1610.23.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.17

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

गाश्चारयन् स गोपालै: सरामो दूरमागत: ।

बुभुक्षितस्य तस्यान्नं सानुगस्य प्रदीयताम् ॥ १७ ॥

gāś cārayan sa gopālaiḥ

sa-rāmo dūram āgataḥ

bubhukṣitasya tasyānnaṁ

sānugasya pradīyatām

Translation

He has come a long way with the cowherd boys and Lord Balarāma, tending the cows. Now He is hungry, so some food should be given for Him and His companions.

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.

Food for Kṛṣṇa and His Companions

  1. 1

    The boys explained that Kṛṣṇa had come a long way while tending the cows.

  2. 2

    Lord Balarāma and the cowherd boys were with Him.

  3. 3

    They asked that food be given because Kṛṣṇa was hungry. Their request included His companions as well.

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:

When the cowherd boys became very hungry, they asked Śrī Kṛṣṇa about obtaining food, and He sent them to beg some from a group of brāhmaṇas who were performing a sacrifice nearby. But these brāhmaṇas ignored the boys, thinking Śrī Kṛṣṇa an ordinary human being.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gāḥthe cows
  2. cārayantending
  3. saḥHe
  4. gopālaiḥin the company of the cowherd boys
  5. sa-rāmaḥtogether with Lord Balarāma
  6. dūramfrom far away
  7. āgataḥhas come
  8. bubhukṣitasyawho is hungry
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”, “companions”

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 does this simple request help me see food as an opportunity for devotional service?

Practice

Set aside a portion of food today to offer to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFood for Kṛṣṇa and His CompanionsThis 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 10.23.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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