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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
10.23.3610.23.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.23.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं लीलानरवपुर्नृलोकमनुशीलयन् ।

रेमे गोगोपगोपीनां रमयन् रूपवाक्कृतै: ॥ ३७ ॥

evaṁ līlā-nara-vapur

nr-lokam anuśīlayan

reme go-gopa-gopīnāṁ

ramayan rūpa-vāk-kṛtaiḥ

Translation

Thus the Supreme Lord, appearing like a human being to perform His pastimes, imitated the ways of human society. He enjoyed pleasing His cows, cowherd boyfriends and cowherd girlfriends with His beauty, words and actions.

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.

The Supreme Lord Pleases His Companions

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord appeared like a human being to perform His pastimes.

  2. 2

    He imitated the ways of human society while remaining the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    He enjoyed pleasing His cows, cowherd boyfriends and cowherd girlfriends with His beauty, words and actions.

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:

He advised them that since they were housewives, their particular duty was to help their husbands perform sacrifices. He therefore instructed them to return to their homes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.23
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this manner
  2. līlāfor pastimes
  3. naraappearing as a human being
  4. vapuḥwhose transcendental body
  5. nṛ-lokamhuman society
  6. anuśīlayanimitating
  7. remeHe took pleasure
  8. gothe cows
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 does this description help me remember the Supreme Lord’s affectionate dealings?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on the Lord pleasing His companions through His beauty, words and actions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Pleases 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 10.23.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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