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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
10.24.610.24.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.24.7

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

तत्र तावत् क्रियायोगो भवतां किं विचारित: । अथवा लौकिकस्तन्मे पृच्छत: साधु भण्यताम् ॥ ७ ॥

tatra tāvat kriyā-yogo

bhavatāṁ kiṁ vicāritaḥ

atha vā laukikas tan me

pṛcchataḥ sādhu bhaṇyatām

Translation

Such being the case, this ritualistic endeavor of yours should be clearly explained to Me. Is it a ceremony based on scriptural injunction, or simply a custom of ordinary society?

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.

Distinguish Scripture From Social Custom

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa asked for a clear explanation of the ritual endeavor.

  2. 2

    He asked whether the ceremony was based on scriptural injunction.

  3. 3

    He also asked whether it was simply a custom of ordinary society. His inquiry distinguished scriptural authority from customary practice.

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:

Nanda explained that the rain given by Indra enables all living entities to maintain their lives, and therefore this sacrifice would be executed to satisfy him. Kṛṣṇa responded, “It is because of karma alone that living entities take their birth in a certain body, experience varieties of happiness and suffering in that body, and then give it up as the karma pertaining to it runs out.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatra tāvatthat being the case
  2. kriyā-yogaḥthis fruitive endeavor
  3. bhavatāmof yours
  4. kimwhether
  5. vicāritaḥlearned from the scriptures
  6. atha vāor else
  7. laukikaḥof ordinary custom
  8. tatthat
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.24

    In this verse: “inquiry”

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 I know whether a tradition I follow rests on scripture or social custom?

Practice

Choose one religious custom you follow and ask where its scriptural basis is explained.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDistinguish Scripture From Social CustomThis 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 10.24.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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