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
10.31.310.31.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.31.4

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.31.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न खलु गोपीकानन्दनो भवान्

अखिलदेहिनामन्तरात्मद‍ृक् ।

विखनसार्थितो विश्वगुप्तये

सख उदेयिवान् सात्वतां कुले ॥ ४ ॥

na khalu gopīkā-nandano bhavān

akhila-dehinām antarātma-dṛk

vikhanasārthito viśva-guptaye

sakha udeyivān sātvatāṁ kule

Translation

You are not actually the son of the gopī Yaśodā, O friend, but rather the indwelling witness in the hearts of all embodied souls. Because Lord Brahmā prayed for You to come and protect the universe, You have now appeared in the Sātvata dynasty.

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.

The Lord Within Every Heart

  1. 1

    The gopīs address Kṛṣṇa as their friend while recognizing Him as the indwelling witness in every embodied soul’s heart, not merely Yaśodā’s son.

  2. 2

    He appeared in the Sātvata dynasty because Lord Brahmā prayed for Him to protect the universe.

  3. 3

    The purport explains their appeal: since He descended to protect the entire universe, how could He neglect His own devotees?

Key points from the purport
  • The gopīs here imply, “Since You have descended to protect the entire universe, how can You neglect Your own devotees?”

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 31: The Gopīs’ Songs of Separation

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus each of the gopīs began addressing Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa according to her individual mode of ecstasy, and they all prayed for Him for His mercy. As the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa spontaneously arose in the minds of the gopīs, they sang their song, which relieves the agony of those suffering from the burning pain of separation from Kṛṣṇa and which bestows supreme auspiciousness.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. khaluindeed
  3. gopikāof the gopī, Yaśodā
  4. nandanaḥthe son
  5. bhavānYour good self
  6. akhilaof all
  7. dehināmembodied living entities
  8. antaḥ-ātmaof the inner consciousness
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “yaśodā’s”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “protect”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that Kṛṣṇa witnesses my heart shape my prayer to Him?

Practice

Offer Kṛṣṇa one honest prayer, remembering that He already knows your heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Within Every HeartThis 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 10.31.4? 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