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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed
10.23.1810.23.20-21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.19

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

चतुर्विधं बहुगुणमन्नमादाय भाजनै: ।

अभिसस्रु: प्रियं सर्वा: समुद्रमिव निम्नगा: ॥ १९ ॥

catur-vidhaṁ bahu-guṇam

annam ādāya bhājanaiḥ

abhisasruḥ priyaṁ sarvāḥ

samudram iva nimnagāḥ

Translation

Taking along in large vessels the four kinds of foods, full of fine tastes and aromas, all the ladies went forth to meet their beloved, just as rivers flow toward the sea.

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.

Love Moves Toward Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The ladies carried large vessels containing four kinds of food, rich in fine tastes and aromas.

  2. 2

    All of them went toward their beloved Kṛṣṇa, just as rivers flow toward the sea.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that they experienced conjugal feelings toward Kṛṣṇa, as if He were their paramour. Thus they could not be checked as they rushed to see Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the wives of the brāhmaṇas experienced conjugal feelings toward Kṛṣṇa, as if He were their paramour; thus they could not be checked as they rushed to see Him.

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:

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. catuḥ-vidhamof the four varieties (that which is chewed, that which is drunk, that which is licked and that which is sucked)
  2. bahu-guṇamendowed with many rich tastes and fragrances
  3. annamfood
  4. ādāyabringing
  5. bhājanaiḥin large vessels
  6. abhisasruḥthey went forward
  7. priyamto their beloved
  8. sarvāḥall of them
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

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 affection for Kṛṣṇa make my service more willing and wholehearted?

Practice

Prepare one food offering for Kṛṣṇa today with special care and affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove Moves Toward 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 10.23.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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