1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.30.3

Who is speaking and story frame

गतिस्मितप्रेक्षणभाषणादिषु

प्रिया: प्रियस्य प्रतिरूढमूर्तय: ।

असावहं त्वित्यबलास्तदात्मिका

न्यवेदिषु: कृष्णविहारविभ्रमा: ॥ ३ ॥

gati-smita-prekṣaṇa-bhāṣaṇādiṣu

priyāḥ priyasya pratirūḍha-mūrtayaḥ

asāv ahaṁ tv ity abalās tad-ātmikā

nyavediṣuḥ kṛṣṇa-vihāra-vibhramāḥ

Translation

Because the beloved gopīs were absorbed in thoughts of their beloved Kṛṣṇa, their bodies imitated His way of moving and smiling, His way of beholding them, His speech and His other distinctive features. Deeply immersed in thinking of Him and maddened by remembering His pastimes, they declared to one another, “I am Kṛṣṇa!”

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.

Complete Absorption Perfects Dedication

  1. 1

    The gopīs spontaneously moved, smiled, glanced and spoke as Kṛṣṇa would.

  2. 2

    Completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa and maddened by remembering His pastimes, they declared to one another, “I am Kṛṣṇa!”

  3. 3

    The purport explains that they were mad with love at their sudden separation from Him. Their dedication to Him thus attained absolute perfection.

Key points from the purport
  • Spontaneously, the gopīs began moving like Kṛṣṇa: they smiled as He would smile, glanced boldly as He would and spoke as He would.
  • The gopīs were completely absorbed in the existence of Kṛṣṇa and mad with love at their sudden separation from Him, and thus their dedication to Him attained absolute perfection.

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 30: The Gopīs Search for Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Śrī Kṛṣṇa suddenly disappeared from the arena of the rāsa dance, the gopīs, their minds fully absorbed in thoughts of Him, began looking for Him in the various forests. From all the moving and nonmoving creatures they asked for news of Kṛṣṇa’s whereabouts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.30
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gatiin His movements
  2. smitasmiling
  3. prekṣaṇabeholding
  4. bhāṣaṇātalking
  5. ādiṣuand so on
  6. priyāḥthe dear gopīs
  7. priyasyaof their beloved
  8. pratirūḍhafully absorbed
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.30

    In this verse: “love”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.30

    In this verse: “separation”

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 you understand the gopīs’ extraordinary words and actions?

Practice

Set aside one undistracted minute today to remember Kṛṣṇa with the aim of deepening your dedication to Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayComplete Absorption Perfects DedicationThis 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 10.30.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.