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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 25: Lord Kṛṣṇa Lifts Govardhana Hill
10.25.1110.25.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.25.12

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.25.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शिर: सुतांश्च कायेन प्रच्छाद्यासारपीडिता: । वेपमाना भगवत: पादमूलमुपाययु: ॥ १२ ॥

śiraḥ sutāṁś ca kāyena

pracchādyāsāra-pīḍitāḥ

vepamānā bhagavataḥ

pāda-mūlam upāyayuḥ

Translation

Trembling from the distress brought about by the severe rainfall, and trying to cover their heads and calves with their own bodies, the cows approached the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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.

Seeking Shelter While Caring for Others

  1. 1

    The cows trembled under the severe rainfall.

  2. 2

    They tried to cover their heads and calves with their own bodies.

  3. 3

    In this distress, they approached the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. śiraḥtheir heads
  2. sutāntheir children
  3. caand
  4. kāyenaby their bodies
  5. pracchādyacovering
  6. āsāra-pīḍitāḥdistressed by the rainfall
  7. vepamānāḥtrembling
  8. bhagavataḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  9. pāda-mūlamthe base of the lotus feet
  10. upāyayuḥthey approached
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: “distress”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I care for someone vulnerable while seeking the Lord’s shelter?

Practice

Offer one small act of protection or comfort to someone in your care today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeking Shelter While Caring for OthersThis 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 10.25.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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