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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 28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa
10.28.1010.28.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.28.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.28.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ते चौत्सुक्यधियो राजन् मत्वा गोपास्तमीश्वरम् । अपि न: स्वगतिं सूक्ष्मामुपाधास्यदधीश्वर: ॥ ११ ॥

te cautsukya-dhiyo rājan

matvā gopās tam īśvaram

api naḥ sva-gatiṁ sūkṣmām

upādhāsyad adhīśvaraḥ

Translation

[Hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with Varuṇa,] the cowherd men considered that Kṛṣṇa must be the Supreme Lord, and their minds, O King, were filled with eagerness. They thought, “Will the Supreme Lord bestow upon us His transcendental abode?”

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.

Eagerness for Kṛṣṇa’s Transcendental Abode

  1. 1

    The cowherd men were excited to hear how Kṛṣṇa had rescued His father from the abode of Varuṇa.

  2. 2

    They suddenly realized that Kṛṣṇa was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    They joyfully wondered whether the Supreme Lord would bestow His transcendental abode upon them after their present life.

Key points from the purport
  • The cowherd men were filled with excitement upon hearing how Kṛṣṇa had gone to the abode of Varuṇa to rescue His father.
  • Suddenly realizing that they were in fact dealing with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they joyfully conjectured among themselves about their auspicious destination after finishing their present life.

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 28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They all thought Kṛṣṇa must be the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself and wanted to see His supreme abode. Thereupon the omniscient Personality of Godhead arranged for them to bathe in the same lake where Akrūra would have his vision of the Absolute Truth.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tethey
  2. caand
  3. autsukyafull of eagerness
  4. dhiyaḥtheir minds
  5. rājanO King Parīkṣit
  6. matvāthinking
  7. gopāḥthe cowherd men
  8. tamHim
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “father”

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 hearing about Kṛṣṇa awaken interest in your ultimate destination?

Practice

Reread the translation and spend a moment considering the cowherd men’s eagerness for Kṛṣṇa’s abode.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEagerness for Kṛṣṇa’s Transcendental AbodeThis 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.

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