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

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 31: The Gopīs’ Songs of Separation
10.31.1310.31.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.31.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.31.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सुरतवर्धनं शोकनाशनं

स्वरितवेणुना सुष्ठु चुम्बितम् ।

इतररागविस्मारणं नृणां

वितर वीर नस्तेऽधरामृतम् ॥ १४ ॥

surata-vardhanaṁ śoka-nāśanaṁ

svarita-veṇunā suṣṭhu cumbitam

itara-rāga-vismāraṇaṁ nṛṇāṁ

vitara vīra nas te ’dharāmṛtam

Translation

O hero, kindly distribute to us the nectar of Your lips, which enhances conjugal pleasure and vanquishes grief. That nectar is thoroughly relished by Your vibrating flute and makes people forget any other attachment.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Nectar Makes Other Attachments Fade

  1. 1

    The nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s lips enhances conjugal pleasure and vanquishes grief. His vibrating flute thoroughly relishes that nectar.

  2. 2

    In Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī’s dialogue, the gopīs compare Kṛṣṇa to Dhanvantari, the best of physicians. They ask Him to give His life-restoring medicine freely.

  3. 3

    Attachment to wealth, followers and family is compared to a bad diet. The gopīs reply that this wonderful medicine itself makes one forget all other attachments.

Key points from the purport
  • Don’t hesitate to give us the medicinal nectar of Your lips freely, without our paying a substantial price.
  • Since You are a great hero in giving charity, You should give it without any payment, even to the most wretched persons.
  • Please give that nectar to us, O hero, since You are most charitable.’”

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 Antya 16.117

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.31.14).

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 31: The Gopīs’ Songs of Separation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In their separation from Kṛṣṇa the gopīs considered a single moment an entire age. Even when they had previously seen Him they had found the blinking of their eyelids intolerable, for it blocked their vision of Him for a fraction of a second.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. surataconjugal happiness
  2. vardhanamwhich increases
  3. śokagrief
  4. nāśanamwhich destroys
  5. svaritavibrated
  6. veṇunāby Your flute
  7. suṣṭhuabundantly
  8. cumbitamkissed
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “attachment”, “wealth”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the medicine comparison teach you about the power of attraction to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Notice one attachment occupying your mind today, and briefly pray for greater attraction to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Nectar Makes Other Attachments FadeThis 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 10.31.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories