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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 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa
10.26.1210.26.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.26.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd mensince 10.26.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

दुस्त्यजश्चानुरागोऽस्मिन् सर्वेषां नो व्रजौकसाम् । नन्दते तनयेऽस्मासु तस्याप्यौत्पत्तिक: कथम् ॥ १३ ॥

dustyajaś cānurāgo ’smin

sarveṣāṁ no vrajaukasām

nanda te tanaye ’smāsu

tasyāpy autpattikaḥ katham

Translation

Dear Nanda, how is it that we and all the other residents of Vraja cannot give up our constant affection for your son? And how is it that He is so spontaneously attracted to us?

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.

Reciprocating Kṛṣṇa’s Constant Love

  1. 1

    The name Kṛṣṇa means “the all-attractive one.” The residents of Vṛndāvana could not give up their love for Him, even though they were unsure whether He was God.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord loves all living beings, who are eternally His children. As God, He is the all-attractive person and the supreme object of our love.

  3. 3

    Choosing whether to surrender to Kṛṣṇa is an essential expression of our free will. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement helps us revive our original, blissful consciousness of love for Him.

Key points from the purport
  • The residents of Vṛndāvana could not give up their constant love (anurāga) for Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • The cowherd men also asked, “How is it that young Kṛṣṇa feels such constant love for us?”
  • At the end of the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa dramatically declares His affection for Arjuna and urges Arjuna to reciprocate that love by surrendering to Him.

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 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Because He descended as the son of Vasudeva, one of His many names is Vāsudeva, and He has innumerable other names indicating His many qualities and activities. Garga Muni had predicted that Kṛṣṇa would prevent all sorts of catastrophes in Gokula, spread unlimited auspiciousness, and increase the ecstasy of the cowherd men and women.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dustyajaḥimpossible to give up
  2. caand
  3. anurāgaḥloving affection
  4. asminfor Him
  5. sarveṣāmon the part of all
  6. naḥus
  7. vraja-okasāmthe residents of Vraja
  8. nandadear Nanda Mahārāja
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “nanda”, “children”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “love”

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 can you freely respond to the love Kṛṣṇa already feels for you?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa to help you awaken love for Him and surrender to Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReciprocating Kṛṣṇa’s Constant LoveThis 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 10.26.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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