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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
10.23.1710.23.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.18

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

श्रुत्वाच्युतमुपायातं नित्यं तद्दर्शनोत्सुका: ।

तत्कथाक्षिप्तमनसो बभूवुर्जातसम्भ्रमा: ॥ १८ ॥

śrutvācyutam upāyātaṁ

nityaṁ tad-darśanotsukāḥ

tat-kathākṣipta-manaso

babhūvur jāta-sambhramāḥ

Translation

The wives of the brāhmaṇas were always eager to see Kṛṣṇa, for their minds had been enchanted by descriptions of Him. Thus as soon as they heard that He had come, they became very excited.

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.

Hearing Awakens Eagerness to See Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Descriptions of Kṛṣṇa had enchanted the minds of the brāhmaṇas’ wives.

  2. 2

    They were always eager to see Him.

  3. 3

    As soon as they heard that He had come, they became very excited.

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:

Thus as soon as they learned He was nearby, they went to Him in great haste, bringing all four varieties of food. In this way they offered themselves to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrutvāhearing
  2. acyutamLord Kṛṣṇa
  3. upāyātamcome nearby
  4. nityamconstantly
  5. tat-darśanafor the sight of Him
  6. utsukāḥeager
  7. tat-kathāby descriptions of Him
  8. ākṣpitaenchanted
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “heard”

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

Am I giving myself time to hear descriptions of Kṛṣṇa with attention?

Practice

Spend a few minutes today rereading a description of Kṛṣṇa with care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Awakens Eagerness to See 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 10.23.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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