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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
10.24.210.24.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.24.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.24.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कथ्यतां मे पित: कोऽयं सम्भ्रमो व उपागत: । किं फलं कस्य वोद्देश: केन वा साध्यते मख: ॥ ३ ॥

kathyatāṁ me pitaḥ ko ’yaṁ

sambhramo va upāgataḥ

kiṁ phalaṁ kasya voddeśaḥ

kena vā sādhyate makhaḥ

Translation

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear father, kindly explain to Me what this great endeavor of yours is all about. What is it meant to accomplish? If this is a ritual sacrifice, then for whose satisfaction is it intended and by what means is it going to be executed?

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.

Understand Worship’s Purpose and Method

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa respectfully asked His father to explain the great endeavor underway.

  2. 2

    He asked what the sacrifice was meant to accomplish and whose satisfaction it was intended for.

  3. 3

    He also asked by what means the sacrifice would be carried out. His questions concerned its purpose, recipient and method.

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:

In this chapter Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa crushes the pride of Indra by prohibiting a sacrifice intended for him and initiating a substitute sacrifice in worship of Govardhana Hill. When Śrī Kṛṣṇa saw the cowherd men busily preparing for a sacrifice to Indra, He inquired about it from their king, Nanda.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kathyatāmlet it be explained
  2. meto Me
  3. pitaḥMy dear father
  4. kaḥwhat
  5. ayamthis
  6. sambhramaḥflurry of activity
  7. vaḥupon you
  8. upāgataḥcome
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “father”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “kindly”

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

Can I clearly explain the purpose of a religious practice I follow?

Practice

Write down whom one of your religious practices is meant to satisfy and how it is performed.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstand Worship’s Purpose and MethodThis 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 10.24.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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