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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 10.27.19

Who is speaking and story frame

सुरभिरुवाच

कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिन् विश्वात्मन् विश्वसम्भव । भवता लोकनाथेन सनाथा वयमच्युत ॥ १९ ॥

surabhir uvāca

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-yogin

viśvātman viśva-sambhava

bhavatā loka-nāthena

sa-nāthā vayam acyuta

Translation

Mother Surabhi said: O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, greatest of mystics! O Soul and origin of the universe! You are the master of the world, and by Your grace, O infallible Lord, we have You as our master.

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 Is Our Real Master Forever

  1. 1

    Mother Surabhi feels great ecstasy as she repeats “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa.” She addresses Him as the Soul and origin of the universe.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa lifted Govardhana Hill by His mystic power and protected the cows of Vṛndāvana. Indra, their so-called master, had tried to kill them.

  3. 3

    Surabhi clearly understands that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme God, is her real master forever—not the demigods. She recognizes that having Him as her master is His grace.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura points out here that mother Surabhi is feeling great ecstasy as she repeats the words “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa.”
  • Kṛṣṇa lifted Govardhana Hill by His mystic power and thus protected the cows of Vṛndāvana, whereas her so-called master, Indra, had tried to kill them.
  • Thus Surabhi now clearly understands that it is not the demigods but rather the Supreme God, Kṛṣṇa Himself, who is her real master forever.

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. surabhiḥ uvācaSurabhi said
  2. kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇaO Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa
  3. mahā yoginO greatest of mystics
  4. viśva-ātmanO Soul of the universe
  5. viśva-sambhavaO origin of the universe
  6. bhavatāby You
  7. loka nāthenathe master of the world
  8. sa-nāthāḥhaving a master
  9. vayamwe
  10. acyutaO infallible one
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

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 Surabhi’s gratitude help me recognize Kṛṣṇa as my real master?

Practice

Repeat “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa” slowly, offering thanks for His protection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Our Real Master ForeverThis 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 10.27.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.