1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.23.6

Who is speaking and story frame

हे भूमिदेवा: श‍ृणुत कृष्णस्यादेशकारिण: ।

प्राप्ताञ्जानीत भद्रं वो गोपान्नो रामचोदितान् ॥ ६ ॥

he bhūmi-devāḥ śṛṇuta

kṛṣṇasyādeśa-kāriṇaḥ

prāptāñ jānīta bhadraṁ vo

gopān no rāma-coditān

Translation

[The cowherd boys said:] O earthly gods, please hear us. We cowherd boys are executing the orders of Kṛṣṇa, and we have been sent here by Balarāma. We wish all good for you. Please acknowledge our arrival.

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.

True Authority Represents the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The title “earthly gods” refers to brāhmaṇas who are supposed to closely represent the Supreme Lord’s will; it does not mean that human beings are God.

  2. 2

    Authority descends from the Absolute Truth Himself, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Purified, enlightened brāhmaṇas represent His will and authority on earth.

  3. 3

    These ritualistic brāhmaṇas were not properly enlightened and could not appreciate Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma or Their associates. Their position exposes the pretension of so-called brāhmaṇas who are not faithful devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • The term bhūmi-devāḥ, “gods on earth,” refers here to the brāhmaṇas, who are supposed to closely represent the will of the Supreme Lord.
  • The philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a primitive polytheistic doctrine holding that human beings on the earth are gods.
  • This account will illustrate that the ritualistic brāhmaṇas approached by the cowherd boys were not at all properly enlightened and thus could not appreciate the position of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma or that of Their intimate associates.

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:

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. he bhūmi-devāḥO earthly gods
  2. śṛṇutaplease hear us
  3. kṛṣṇasya ādeśaof the order of Kṛṣṇa
  4. kāriṇaḥthe executors
  5. prāptānarrived
  6. jānītaplease recognize
  7. bhadramall good
  8. vaḥunto you
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”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.23

    In this verse: “purified”

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

Do you value faithful devotion more than religious titles or status?

Practice

Reflect on one religious quality you admire, and consider how it supports faithful service to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Authority Represents the Supreme LordThis 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 10.23.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.