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 10.30.8

Who is speaking and story frame

मालत्यदर्शि व: कच्चिन्मल्लिके जाति यूथिके ।

प्रीतिं वो जनयन् यात: करस्पर्शेन माधव: ॥ ८ ॥

mālaty adarśi vaḥ kaccin

mallike jāti-yūthike

prītiṁ vo janayan yātaḥ

kara-sparśena mādhavaḥ

Translation

O mālati, O mallikā, O jāti and yūthikā, has Mādhava gone by here, giving you pleasure with the touch of His hand?

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.

Seeing Humility in the Jasmine Vines

  1. 1

    When tulasī did not answer, the gopīs approached the fragrant jasmine flowers.

  2. 2

    They asked whether Mādhava had passed by, giving the plants pleasure with the touch of His hand.

  3. 3

    Seeing the jasmine vines humbly bowing down, the gopīs assumed they had seen Lord Kṛṣṇa. They understood this bowing as humility arising from ecstasy.

Key points from the purport
  • When even tulasī herself did not answer the gopīs, they approached the fragrant jasmine flowers.
  • The gopīs, seeing the jasmine vines humbly bowing down, assumed that these plants must have seen Lord Kṛṣṇa and were therefore showing humility in their ecstasy.

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:

From all the moving and nonmoving creatures they asked for news of Kṛṣṇa’s whereabouts. Finally they became so distraught that they began imitating His pastimes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.30
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mālatiO mālatī plant (a kind of white jasmine)
  2. adarśihas been seen
  3. vaḥby you
  4. kaccitwhether
  5. mallikeO mallikā (a different kind of jasmine)
  6. jātiO jāti (another kind of white jasmine)
  7. yūthikeO yūthikā (yet another jasmine)
  8. prītimpleasure
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: “ecstasy”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.30

    In this verse: “humility”

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 did the gopīs’ love for Kṛṣṇa shape the way they saw the jasmine vines?

Practice

Read this verse slowly and reflect for one minute on humility in devotion to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeing Humility in the Jasmine VinesThis 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 10.30.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.