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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 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance
10.29.1810.29.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.29.19

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.29.18inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

रजन्येषा घोररूपा घोरसत्त्वनिषेविता । प्रतियात व्रजं नेह स्थेयं स्त्रीभि: सुमध्यमा: ॥ १९ ॥

rajany eṣā ghora-rūpā

ghora-sattva-niṣevitā

pratiyāta vrajaṁ neha

stheyaṁ strībhiḥ su-madhyamāḥ

Translation

This night is quite frightening, and frightening creatures are lurking about. Return to Vraja, slender-waisted girls. This is not a proper place for women.

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’s Words Both Tease and Enchant

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells the gopīs that the night and forest are dangerous and that they should return to Vraja. In this reading, He continues to tease them.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the Sanskrit also permits the opposite meaning: the night is auspicious, and they should remain with Him without fear.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa thus simultaneously teases and enchants the gopīs. His words hint at His own eagerness for their company.

Key points from the purport
  • And not only the time but also this place is unsuitable for you to gather flowers, because at night terrible creatures such as tigers are abroad here.
  • Or else Kṛṣṇa may have meant, ‘You should not be afraid of your own husbands and other relatives because, the night being populated by fearsome animals, they will not come near this place.
  • Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa simultaneously teases and enchants the gopīs with His words.

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

Separation → Transcendental intimacy. The peak of longing reveals the intensity of selfless love.

Chapters 29–33 of Canto 10: The gopīs' yearning, reunion and rasa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

It is not good for you to travel to such a place in the dead of the night, for this forest is full of violent creatures. Your husbands and children will soon come searching after you to bring you home and engage you again in your household duties.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rajanīnight
  2. eṣāthis
  3. ghora-rūpāfearsome in appearance
  4. ghora-sattvaby fearsome creatures
  5. niṣevitāpopulated
  6. pratiyātaplease return
  7. vrajamto the cowherd village of Vraja
  8. nanot
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “fear”, “dangerous”

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 the purport help me see affection beneath Kṛṣṇa’s apparently discouraging words?

Practice

Reread Kṛṣṇa’s words once, then read their alternative meaning in the purport.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Words Both Tease and EnchantThis 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 10.29.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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