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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 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance
10.29.2710.29.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.29.28

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.29.28inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

इति विप्रियमाकर्ण्य गोप्यो गोविन्दभाषितम् ।

विषण्णा भग्नसङ्कल्पाश्चिन्तामापुर्दुरत्ययाम् ॥ २८ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

iti vipriyam ākarṇya

gopyo govinda-bhāṣitam

viṣaṇṇā bhagna-saṅkalpāś

cintām āpur duratyayām

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing these unpleasant words spoken by Govinda, the gopīs became morose. Their great hopes were frustrated and they felt insurmountable anxiety.

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.

The Gopīs’ Hopes Meet Deep Anxiety

  1. 1

    Hearing Govinda’s unpleasant words, the gopīs become morose. Their great hopes are frustrated.

  2. 2

    They consider falling at Kṛṣṇa’s feet and crying for His mercy.

  3. 3

    They also consider remaining aloof and returning home, but can do neither. Not knowing what to do, they feel insurmountable anxiety.

Key points from the purport
  • The gopīs did not know what to do.
  • They considered falling at Kṛṣṇa’s feet and crying for His mercy, or perhaps remaining aloof and going back to their homes.
  • But they could do neither of these things and so felt great anxiety.

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:

Moreover, one develops pure love for Me not by physical proximity but by hearing topics connected with Me, by viewing My Deity form in the temple, by meditating upon Me and by faithfully chanting My glories. Therefore, all of you would do best to return home.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. vipriyamunpleasant
  4. ākarṇyahearing
  5. gopyaḥthe gopīs
  6. govinda-bhāṣitamthe words spoken by Govinda
  7. viṣaṇṇāḥbecoming morose
  8. bhagnathwarted
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 10.29

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “crying”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “mercy”

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 gopīs’ inability to leave reveal about their attachment to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause over the gopīs’ thought of asking for mercy, and offer Kṛṣṇa a brief prayer for His mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Gopīs’ Hopes Meet Deep AnxietyThis 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 10.29.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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