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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 24: Worshiping Govardhana Hill
10.24.2410.24.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.24.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.24.13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्माद् गवां ब्राह्मणानामद्रेश्चारभ्यतां मख: । य इन्द्रयागसम्भारास्तैरयं साध्यतां मख: ॥ २५ ॥

tasmād gavāṁ brāhmaṇānām

adreś cārabhyatāṁ makhaḥ

ya indra-yāga-sambhārās

tair ayaṁ sādhyatāṁ makhaḥ

Translation

Therefore may a sacrifice for the pleasure of the cows, the brāhmaṇas and Govardhana Hill begin! With all the paraphernalia collected for worshiping Indra, let this sacrifice be performed instead.

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.

Honor Cows, Brāhmaṇas and Govardhana

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa proposes a sacrifice for the pleasure of the cows, the brāhmaṇas and Govardhana Hill.

  2. 2

    The materials already collected for worshiping Indra should be used for this sacrifice instead.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is famous as go-brāhmaṇa-hita, the well-wishing friend of cows and brāhmaṇas. He includes the local brāhmaṇas because He is devoted to those devoted to godly Vedic culture.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa is famous as go-brāhmaṇa-hita, the well-wishing friend of the cows and the brāhmaṇas.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa specifically included the local brāhmaṇas in His proposal because He is always devoted to those who are devoted to the godly Vedic culture.

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 24: Worshiping Govardhana Hill

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After Kṛṣṇa spoke thus, He arranged for the cowherd men to worship Govardhana with the paraphernalia collected for the sacrifice to Indra. He then assumed a huge, unprecedented transcendental form and devoured all the food and other offerings presented to Govardhana.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. gavāmof the cows
  3. brāhmaṇānāmof the brāhmaṇas
  4. adreḥand of the hill (Govardhana)
  5. caalso
  6. ārabhyatāmlet it begin
  7. makhaḥthe sacrifice
  8. yewhich
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “worshiping”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “materials”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s concern for cows and brāhmaṇas shape my understanding of service?

Practice

Write down one small way you can show respect for the cows or brāhmaṇas Kṛṣṇa cherishes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Cows, Brāhmaṇas and GovardhanaThis 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 10.24.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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