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

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.24.3610.24.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.24.37

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.24.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एषोऽवजानतो मर्त्यान् कामरूपी वनौकस: । हन्ति ह्यस्मै नमस्याम: शर्मणे आत्मनो गवाम् ॥ ३७ ॥

eṣo ’vajānato martyān

kāma-rūpī vanaukasaḥ

hanti hy asmai namasyāmaḥ

śarmaṇe ātmano gavām

Translation

“This Govardhana Hill, assuming any form he wishes, will kill any residents of the forest who neglect him. Therefore let us pay our obeisances to him for the safety of ourselves and our cows.”

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.

Understanding Kṛṣṇa’s Purpose Behind His Arguments

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa urged the residents to offer obeisances to Govardhana for their own safety and that of their cows. The purport explains that the hill can manifest dangers such as poisonous snakes, wild animals and falling rocks.

  2. 2

    The Lord had presented arguments making karma, conditioned nature, the modes of nature or one’s occupation supreme, and making the Supreme Lord dependent on karma. He did not present these arguments because He believed them.

  3. 3

    His purpose was to stop the sacrifice to Indra and direct it to Himself as Govardhana Hill. He thereby intended to agitate the falsely proud demigod.

Key points from the purport
  • Kāma-rūpī indicates that the form of Govardhana can manifest as poisonous snakes, wild animals, falling rocks and so on, all of which are competent to kill a human being.
  • The Lord presented these arguments not because He believed them but rather because He wanted to stop the impending sacrifice to Indra and divert it to Himself in the form of Govardhana Hill.
  • In this way the Lord desired to agitate that falsely proud demigod.

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:

Therefore they should all now offer obeisances to Govardhana Hill. Then Lord Kṛṣṇa joined the cowherds in offering obeisances to His own newly assumed form.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. eṣaḥthis one
  2. avajānataḥthose who are neglectful
  3. martyānmortals
  4. kāma-rūpīassuming any form at will (such as that of the snakes who live upon the hill)
  5. vana-okasaḥresidents of the forest
  6. hantiwill kill
  7. hicertainly
  8. asmaito him
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “safety”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “proud”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “dangers”

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

Why is it important to understand Kṛṣṇa’s purpose rather than take these arguments as His final teaching?

Practice

Write one sentence distinguishing the arguments Kṛṣṇa presented from His actual purpose of directing worship to Himself.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstanding Kṛṣṇa’s Purpose Behind His ArgumentsThis 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 10.24.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories