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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
10.29.4010.29.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.29.41

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The beautiful gopīssince 10.29.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

व्यक्तं भवान् व्रजभयार्तिहरोऽभिजातो

देवो यथादिपुरुष: सुरलोकगोप्ता ।

तन्नो निधेहि करपङ्कजमार्तबन्धो

तप्तस्तनेषु च शिर:सु च किङ्करीणाम् ॥ ४१ ॥

vyaktaṁ bhavān vraja-bhayārti-haro ’bhijāto

devo yathādi-puruṣaḥ sura-loka-goptā

tan no nidhehi kara-paṅkajam ārta-bandho

tapta-staneṣu ca śiraḥsu ca kiṅkarīṇām

Translation

Clearly You have taken birth in this world to relieve the fear and distress of the people of Vraja, just as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the primeval Lord, protects the domain of the demigods. Therefore, O friend of the distressed, kindly place Your lotus hand on Your maidservants’ heads and burning breasts.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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 Is the Friend of the Distressed

  1. 1

    The gopīs say Kṛṣṇa has appeared to relieve the fear and distress of the people of Vraja.

  2. 2

    They compare His protection to that of the primeval Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who protects the domain of the demigods.

  3. 3

    Calling themselves His maidservants, they ask the friend of the distressed to place His lotus hand on their heads and burning breasts.

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:

Just as the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu protects the demigods, You destroy the unhappiness of the people of Vṛndāvana. Therefore You should immediately relieve the torment we have felt because of separation from You.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vyaktamobviously
  2. bhavānYou
  3. vrajaof the people of Vraja
  4. bhayaof the fear
  5. ārtiand distress
  6. haraḥas the remover
  7. abhijātaḥhave taken birth
  8. devaḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “kindly”, “distress”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “protects”, “protection”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

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 gopīs’ prayer combine trust in Kṛṣṇa with a desire to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking Kṛṣṇa for shelter and the opportunity to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is the Friend of the DistressedThis 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 10.29.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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