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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.25.11

Who is speaking and story frame

अत्यासारातिवातेन पशवो जातवेपना: । गोपा गोप्यश्च शीतार्ता गोविन्दं शरणं ययु: ॥ ११ ॥

aty-āsārāti-vātena

paśavo jāta-vepanāḥ

gopā gopyaś ca śītārtā

govindaṁ śaraṇaṁ yayuḥ

Translation

The cows and other animals, shivering from the excessive rain and wind, and the cowherd men and ladies, pained by the cold, all approached Lord Govinda for shelter.

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.

Approaching Govinda for Shelter

  1. 1

    The cows and other animals shivered from the excessive rain and wind.

  2. 2

    The cowherd men and ladies were also distressed by the cold.

  3. 3

    In their suffering, they all approached Lord Govinda for shelter.

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 25: Lord Kṛṣṇa Lifts Govardhana Hill

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The cowherd community was very disturbed by this and approached Kṛṣṇa for shelter. Understanding that this trouble was the work of Indra, Kṛṣṇa decided to smash to pieces Indra’s false prestige, and thus He lifted Govardhana Hill with one hand.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ati-āsāraby the excessive rainfall
  2. ati-vātenaand the excessive wind
  3. paśavaḥthe cows and other animals
  4. jāta-vepanāḥtrembling
  5. gopāḥthe cowherd men
  6. gopyaḥthe cowherd ladies
  7. caalso
  8. śītaby the cold
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.25

    In this verse: “suffering”, “distressed”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.25

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I feel distressed, do I remember to turn to Lord Govinda?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to ask Lord Govinda for shelter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproaching Govinda for ShelterThis 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 10.25.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.