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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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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 30: The Gopīs Search for Kṛṣṇa
10.30.3810.30.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.30.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.30.34inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हा नाथ रमण प्रेष्ठ क्‍वासि क्‍वासि महाभुज ।

दास्यास्ते कृपणाया मे सखे दर्शय सन्निधिम् ॥ ३९ ॥

hā nātha ramaṇa preṣṭha

kvāsi kvāsi mahā-bhuja

dāsyās te kṛpaṇāyā me

sakhe darśaya sannidhim

Translation

She cried out: O master! My lover! O dearmost, where are You? Where are You? Please, O mighty-armed one, O friend, show Yourself to Me, Your poor servant!

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.

Humble Love Seeks Kṛṣṇa’s Happiness

  1. 1

    Rādhā calls out to Kṛṣṇa as Her master, lover, dearmost and friend. Calling Herself His poor servant, She begs Him to appear.

  2. 2

    In the exchange described by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Her concern is for Kṛṣṇa’s happiness. She cannot tolerate even the slightest pain to His lotus feet.

  3. 3

    She humbly asks forgiveness for Her earlier words and begs for mercy. Her appeal expresses a desire to live for His pleasure, not merely for Her own relief.

Key points from the purport
  • Indeed, to prevent such pain I am ready to throw My life away millions and millions of times.
  • So kindly show Yourself and drive away that unhappiness.’
  • Therefore please excuse what Your poor servant said.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 6.71

This verse is quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.30.39).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, extremely troubled, then began looking everywhere for Him, and when She finally met Her gopī girlfriends She related to them what had happened. All the gopīs then went out to look for Kṛṣṇa in the forest, going as far as the moonlight reached.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.30
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hāO
  2. nāthamaster
  3. ramaṇalover
  4. preṣṭhadearmost
  5. kva asi kva asiwhere are You, where are You
  6. mahā-bhujaO mighty-armed one
  7. dāsyāḥto the maidservant
  8. teYour
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: “lover”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “cried”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.30

    In this verse: “friend”

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

In my prayers, how much do I seek Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure rather than only relief for myself?

Practice

Offer one brief prayer asking for mercy and the opportunity to serve Kṛṣṇa for His pleasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumble Love Seeks Kṛṣṇa’s HappinessThis 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 10.30.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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