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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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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 24: Worshiping Govardhana Hill
10.24.3710.25.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.24.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.24.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्यद्रिगोद्विजमखं वासुदेवप्रचोदिता: । यथा विधाय ते गोपा सहकृष्णा व्रजं ययु: ॥ ३८ ॥

ity adri-go-dvija-makhaṁ

vāsudeva-pracoditāḥ

yathā vidhāya te gopā

saha-kṛṣṇā vrajaṁ yayuḥ

Translation

The members of the cowherd community, having thus been inspired by Lord Vāsudeva to properly execute the sacrifice to Govardhana Hill, the cows and the brāhmaṇas, returned with Lord Kṛṣṇa to their village, Vraja.

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.

Successful Worship, Yet Trouble Remained

  1. 1

    Inspired by Lord Vāsudeva, the cowherd community properly performed the sacrifice to Govardhana Hill, the cows and the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    After completing the worship, they returned with Lord Kṛṣṇa to their village, Vraja. The Govardhana-pūjā had been blissful and successful.

  3. 3

    Yet the matter was hardly finished. The tremendously powerful Indra received news of the sacrifice with burning anger.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Indra is, after all, tremendously powerful, and he received the news of the Govardhana sacrifice with burning anger.
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Twenty-fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Worshiping Govardhana Hill.”

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:

As He did so He proclaimed to the cowherd community that although they had worshiped Indra for so long, he had never appeared in person, whereas Govardhana himself had now manifested before their eyes and eaten their offerings of foodstuffs. Therefore they should all now offer obeisances to Govardhana Hill.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itiin this manner
  2. adrito Govardhana Hill
  3. gothe cows
  4. dvijaand the brāhmaṇas
  5. makhamthe great sacrifice
  6. vāsudevaby Lord Kṛṣṇa
  7. pracoditāḥurged
  8. yathāproperly
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: “worship”

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 verse challenge the expectation that successful worship must leave every difficulty resolved?

Practice

Take one minute today to appreciate an opportunity for devotional service, even if other concerns remain unresolved.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySuccessful Worship, Yet Trouble RemainedThis 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 10.24.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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