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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa
10.26.2410.27.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.26.25

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.26.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit
A turning point forIndra at Govardhana· Protection witnessed

देवे वर्षति यज्ञविप्लवरुषा वज्राश्मवर्षानिलै:सीदत्पालपशुस्त्रियात्मशरणं द‍ृष्ट्वानुकम्प्युत्स्मयन् । उत्पाट्यैककरेण शैलमबलो लीलोच्छिलीन्ध्रं यथाबिभ्रद् गोष्ठमपान्महेन्द्रमदभित् प्रीयान्न इन्द्रो गवाम् ॥ २५ ॥

deve varṣati yajña-viplava-ruṣā vajrāsma-varṣānilaiḥ

sīdat-pāla-paśu-striy ātma-śaraṇaṁ dṛṣṭvānukampy utsmayan

utpāṭyaika-kareṇa śailam abalo līlocchilīndhraṁ yathā

bibhrad goṣṭham apān mahendra-mada-bhit prīyān na indro gavām

Translation

Indra became angry when his sacrifice was disrupted, and thus he caused rain and hail to fall on Gokula, accompanied by lightning and powerful winds, all of which brought great suffering to the cowherds, animals and women there. When Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is by nature always compassionate, saw the condition of those who had only Him as their shelter, He smiled broadly and lifted Govardhana Hill with one hand, just as a small child picks up a mushroom to play with it. Holding up the hill, He protected the cowherd community. May He, Govinda, the Lord of the cows and the destroyer of Indra’s false pride, be pleased with 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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Compassion Invites Loving Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Angry that his sacrifice was disrupted, Indra brought a destructive storm upon Gokula. Naturally compassionate Kṛṣṇa saw the suffering of those who had only Him as their shelter and effortlessly lifted Govardhana Hill to protect them.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of the cows and the real ruler of everyone. The demigods are merely His servants, representing His supreme will.

  3. 3

    The cowherd men repeatedly remembered Kṛṣṇa’s lifting of Govardhana Hill. The purport concludes that soberly considering His activities leads one to surrender to Him and become His eternal devotee in loving devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus in this verse Kṛṣṇa is pointedly called indro gavām, “the Lord of the cows.”
  • It is apparent from this and the previous verses in this chapter that Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lifting of Govardhana Hill made quite an impression on the simple cowherd men of Vṛndāvana, and they repeatedly remembered this feat.
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.

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:

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. In a previous age He had provided protection for the saintly brāhmaṇas when they were harassed by low-class dacoits and there was no proper ruler in society.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devewhen the demigod Indra
  2. varṣaticaused rain
  3. yajñaof his sacrifice
  4. viplavadue to the disturbances
  5. ruṣāout of anger
  6. vajrawith lightning bolts
  7. aśma-varṣahail
  8. anilaiḥand winds
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 10.26

    In this verse: “compassionate”, “suffering”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “protected”, “protect”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “shelter”, “surrender”

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 Kṛṣṇa’s compassionate protection encourage me to seek His shelter and serve Him?

Practice

Recall Kṛṣṇa lifting Govardhana Hill, then offer this prayer: “May Govinda be pleased with us.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Compassion Invites Loving Devotional ServiceThis 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 10.26.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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