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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 31: The Gopīs’ Songs of Separation
10.31.410.31.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.31.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.31.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

विरचिताभयं वृष्णिधूर्य ते

चरणमीयुषां संसृतेर्भयात् ।

करसरोरुहं कान्त कामदं

शिरसि धेहि न: श्रीकरग्रहम् ॥ ५ ॥

viracitābhayaṁ vṛṣṇi-dhūrya te

caraṇam īyuṣāṁ saṁsṛter bhayāt

kara-saroruhaṁ kānta kāma-daṁ

śirasi dhehi naḥ śrī-kara-graham

Translation

O best of the Vṛṣṇis, Your lotuslike hand, which holds the hand of the goddess of fortune, grants fearlessness to those who approach Your feet out of fear of material existence. O lover, please place that wish-fulfilling lotus hand on our heads.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Shelter That Grants Fearlessness

  1. 1

    Those afraid of material existence approach Kṛṣṇa’s feet for shelter.

  2. 2

    His lotuslike hand grants them fearlessness and holds the hand of the goddess of fortune.

  3. 3

    The gopīs ask Him to place that wish-fulfilling lotus hand upon their heads.

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:

They sang, “O Lord, O lover, O cheater, when we remember Your smile, Your loving glances and Your pastimes with Your boyhood friends, we become extremely agitated. Remembering Your lotus face, adorned with locks of blackish hair smeared with the dust of the cows, we become irrevocably attached to You.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viracitacreated
  2. abhayamfearlessness
  3. vṛṣṇiof the Vṛṣṇi dynasty
  4. dhūryaO best
  5. teYour
  6. caraṇamfeet
  7. īyuṣāmof those who approach
  8. saṁsṛteḥof material existence
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “fearlessness”, “afraid”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “lover”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What fear can I bring before Kṛṣṇa as I seek His shelter?

Practice

Name one fear in a brief prayer and ask Kṛṣṇa for shelter at His feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShelter That Grants FearlessnessThis 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 10.31.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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