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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 28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa
10.28.1610.29.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.28.17

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

नन्दादयस्तु तं द‍ृष्ट्वा परमानन्दनिवृता: । कृष्णं च तत्रच्छन्दोभि: स्तूयमानं सुविस्मिता: ॥ १७ ॥

nandādayas tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā

paramānanda-nivṛtāḥ

kṛṣṇaṁ ca tatra cchandobhiḥ

stūyamānaṁ su-vismitāḥ

Translation

Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men felt the greatest happiness when they saw that transcendental abode. They were especially amazed to see Kṛṣṇa Himself there, surrounded by the personified Vedas, who were offering Him prayers.

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.

Kṛṣṇaloka: The Home of Loving Devotees

  1. 1

    Nanda Mahārāja and the cowherd men felt the greatest happiness on seeing Kṛṣṇa’s abode. They were especially amazed to see Him receiving prayers from the personified Vedas.

  2. 2

    Although they considered themselves ordinary, Kṛṣṇa revealed their extraordinary good fortune. His spiritual kingdom had the same spiritual atmosphere as their earthly Vṛndāvana, with Kṛṣṇa personally present.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa specifically revealed Kṛṣṇaloka, the greatest of eternal abodes. It is the natural home of the residents of Vṛndāvana, who loved Him more than anyone else did.

Key points from the purport
  • Although the residents of Vṛndāvana considered themselves ordinary persons, Lord Kṛṣṇa wanted them to know of their extraordinary good fortune.
  • The cowherd men were amazed to see that the kingdom of God had exactly the same spiritual atmosphere as their own earthly Vṛndāvana and that, just as in their Vṛndāvana Lord Kṛṣṇa was personally present, in their unique vision He was present as the Lord of the spiritual world.
  • As Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura points out, these verses emphasize that Lord Kṛṣṇa did not merely show the cowherd men a sample Vaikuṇṭha planet but that He specifically revealed His Kṛṣṇaloka, the greatest of eternal abodes and the natural home of the residents of Vṛndāvana, who loved Kṛṣṇa more than anyone else did.

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. nanda-ādayaḥthe cowherd men headed by Nanda Mahārāja
  2. tuand
  3. tamthat
  4. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  5. paramasupreme
  6. ānandaby ecstasy
  7. nivṛtāḥoverwhelmed with joy
  8. kṛṣṇamLord Kṛṣṇa
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 10.28

    In this verse: “nanda”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “loved”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.28

    In this verse: “kingdom”

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

What does the cowherd men’s joy show about the importance of Kṛṣṇa’s personal presence?

Practice

Offer Kṛṣṇa a short prayer of praise, asking to grow in loving devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇaloka: The Home of Loving DevoteesThis 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 10.28.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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