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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.23.23 10.23.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.24

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

तास्तथा त्यक्तसर्वाशा: प्राप्ता आत्मदिद‍ृक्षया ।

विज्ञायाखिलद‍ृग्द्रष्टा प्राह प्रहसितानन: ॥ २४ ॥

tās tathā tyakta-sarvāśāḥ

prāptā ātma-didṛkṣayā

vijñāyākhila-dṛg-draṣṭā

prāha prahasitānanaḥ

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa, who witnesses the thoughts of all creatures, understood how those ladies had abandoned all worldly hopes and come there simply to see Him. Thus He addressed them as follows with a smile upon His face.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Knows the Heart’s Desire

1
Lord Kṛṣṇa witnesses the thoughts of all creatures. He understood the hearts of the brāhmaṇa ladies.
2
They had abandoned all worldly hopes and come simply to see Him.
3
Knowing their desire, Kṛṣṇa addressed them with a smile upon His face.

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

Chapter 23: The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa told the women that while one can develop transcendental love for Him by seeing His Deity form in the temple, meditating upon Him and chanting His glories, one cannot achieve this result simply by being in His physical presence. He advised them that since they were housewives, their particular duty was to help their husbands perform sacrifices.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.23