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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 27: Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers
10.27.110.27.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.27.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.27.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विविक्त उपसङ्गम्य व्रीडीत: कृतहेलन: । पस्पर्श पादयोरेनं किरीटेनार्कवर्चसा ॥ २ ॥

vivikta upasaṅgamya

vrīḍītaḥ kṛta-helanaḥ

pasparśa pādayor enaṁ

kirīṭenārka-varcasā

Translation

Indra was very ashamed of having offended the Lord. Approaching Him in a solitary place, Indra fell down and lay his helmet, whose effulgence was as brilliant as the sun, upon the Lord’s lotus feet.

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 Allows Indra to Surrender Privately

  1. 1

    Ashamed of offending the Lord, Indra approached Kṛṣṇa in a solitary place at the base of Govardhana Hill.

  2. 2

    Indra bowed down, touching the Lord’s lotus feet with his helmet, whose brilliance resembled the sun.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa provided a private meeting so that Indra would not be further humiliated. The Lord allowed him to surrender and beg forgiveness privately.

Key points from the purport
  • The specific “solitary place” where Indra approached Śrī Kṛṣṇa is mentioned by the sage Śrī Vaiśampāyana in the Hari-vaṁśa (Viṣṇu-parva 19.3): sa dadarśopaviṣṭaṁ vai govardhana-śilā-tale.
  • From the commentaries of the ācāryas we understand that Lord Kṛṣṇa wanted to provide a solitary meeting for Indra so that he would not be further humiliated.
  • Indra came to surrender and beg forgiveness, and the Lord allowed him to do so privately.

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:

Ashamed of having attacked Vṛndāvana with a violent storm, Indra secretly came before Lord Kṛṣṇa, offered obeisances and praised Him. Indra stated that although Śrī Kṛṣṇa is never caught in the current of material illusion, which is born of ignorance, He nevertheless accepts a humanlike body and performs various activities to establish religious principles and chastise the wicked.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viviktein a solitary place
  2. upasaṅgamyaapproaching
  3. vrīḍitaḥashamed
  4. kṛta-helanaḥhaving committed offense
  5. pasparśahe touched
  6. pādayoḥupon His feet
  7. enamHim
  8. kirīṭenawith his helmet
  9. arkalike the sun
  10. varcasāthe effulgence of which
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “offended”, “offending”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.27

    In this verse: “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 consideration for Indra affect my willingness to seek forgiveness?

Practice

In a private moment today, bow before Kṛṣṇa and sincerely ask forgiveness for an offense you recognize.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Allows Indra to Surrender PrivatelyThis 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 10.27.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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