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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 10.27.18

Who is speaking and story frame

अथाह सुरभि: कृष्णमभिवन्द्यमनस्विनी । स्वसन्तानैरुपामन्‍त्र्य गोपरूपिणमीश्वरम् ॥ १८ ॥

athāha surabhiḥ kṛṣṇam

abhivandya manasvinī

sva-santānair upāmantrya

gopa-rūpiṇam īśvaram

Translation

Mother Surabhi, along with her progeny, the cows, then offered her obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Respectfully requesting His attention, the gentle lady addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was present before her as a cowherd boy.

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.

Approach Kṛṣṇa With Gentle Respect

  1. 1

    Mother Surabhi offers obeisances to Kṛṣṇa with her progeny, the cows. She respectfully requests His attention before addressing Him.

  2. 2

    These cows are the transcendental cows who play with Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. Surabhi affectionately sees them as related to her, as Kṛṣṇa Himself does.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is present as a cowherd boy. This congenial setting gives Surabhi an opportunity to offer her prayers.

Key points from the purport
  • The statement here that the heavenly cow Surabhi approached Lord Kṛṣṇa along with her progeny (sva-santānaiḥ) is a reference to the transcendental cows who play with Lord Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana.
  • Although Lord Kṛṣṇa’s cows are transcendental, the heavenly cow Surabhi affectionately saw them, as indeed Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself did, as related to her.
  • Since Lord Kṛṣṇa was appearing in the form of a cowherd boy, the whole situation was quite congenial, and Surabhi took the opportunity to offer the following prayers.

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 27: Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Indra, along with the cow Surabhi, then performed a bathing ceremony for Kṛṣṇa, using the water of the heavenly Ganges and the milk of mother Surabhi. Indra and the cow took this opportunity to bestow upon the Lord the name Govinda, and the demigods showered flowers and recited various prayers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathen
  2. āhaspoke
  3. surabhiḥthe mother of the cows, Surabhi
  4. kṛṣṇamto Kṛṣṇa
  5. abhivandyaoffering respects
  6. manasvinīpeaceful in mind
  7. sva-santānaiḥtogether with her progeny, the cows
  8. upāmantryabegging for His attention
  9. gopa-rūpiṇamappearing as a cowherd boy
  10. īśvaramthe Supreme Lord
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 10.27

    In this verse: “mother”

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 I bring more gentleness and respect into my prayers to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Begin a prayer today by offering obeisances and respectfully asking for Kṛṣṇa’s attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayApproach Kṛṣṇa With Gentle RespectThis 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 10.27.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.