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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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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
10.31.510.31.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.31.6

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

व्रजजनार्तिहन् वीर योषितां

निजजनस्मयध्वंसनस्मित ।

भज सखे भवत्किङ्करी: स्म नो

जलरुहाननं चारु दर्शय ॥ ६ ॥

vraja-janārti-han vīra yoṣitāṁ

nija-jana-smaya-dhvaṁsana-smita

bhaja sakhe bhavat-kiṅkarīḥ sma no

jalaruhānanaṁ cāru darśaya

Translation

O You who destroy the suffering of Vraja’s people, O hero of all women, Your smile shatters the false pride of Your devotees. Please, dear friend, accept us as Your maidservants and show us Your beautiful lotus face.

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.

Humble Service Beyond False Pride

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa destroys the suffering of Vraja’s people, and the gopīs praise Him as the hero of all women.

  2. 2

    His smile shatters the false pride of His own devotees.

  3. 3

    Calling Him their dear friend, the gopīs ask Him to accept them as maidservants and show His beautiful lotus face.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 6.67

This verse in connection with the rāsa dance of Kṛṣṇa with the gopīs is quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.31.6).

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:

Remembering Your lotus face, adorned with locks of blackish hair smeared with the dust of the cows, we become irrevocably attached to You. And when we remember how You followed the cows from forest to forest with Your tender feet, we feel great pain.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.31
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vraja-janaof the people of Vraja
  2. ārtiof the suffering
  3. hanO destroyer
  4. vīraO hero
  5. yoṣitāmof women
  6. nijaYour own
  7. janaof the people
  8. smayathe pride
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.31

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “suffering”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where might false pride be getting in the way of my desire to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pray, “Kṛṣṇa, please accept me as Your servant.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumble Service Beyond False PrideThis 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 10.31.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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