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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 33: The Rāsa Dance
10.33.1410.33.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.33.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.33.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कर्णोत्पलालकविटङ्ककपोलघर्म-

वक्त्रश्रियो वलयनूपुरघोषवाद्यै: ।

गोप्य: समं भगवता ननृतु: स्वकेश-

स्रस्तस्रजो भ्रमरगायकरासगोष्ठ्याम् ॥ १५ ॥

karṇotpalālaka-viṭaṅka-kapola-gharma-

vaktra-śriyo valaya-nūpura-ghoṣa-vādyaiḥ

gopyaḥ samaṁ bhagavatā nanṛtuḥ sva-keśa-

srasta-srajo bhramara-gāyaka-rāsa-goṣṭhyām

Translation

Enhancing the beauty of the gopīs ’ faces were the lotus flowers behind their ears, the locks of hair decorating their cheeks, and drops of perspiration. The reverberation of their armlets and ankle bells made a loud musical sound, and their chaplets scattered. Thus the gopīs danced with the Supreme Lord in the arena of the rāsa dance as swarms of bees sang in accompaniment.

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.

Beauty and Music Around the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Lotus flowers behind the gopīs’ ears, locks of hair on their cheeks, and drops of perspiration enhanced their beauty.

  2. 2

    Their armlets and ankle bells made a loud musical sound, while their chaplets scattered.

  3. 3

    The gopīs danced with the Supreme Lord in the rāsa arena, accompanied by the singing of swarms of bees.

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 33: The Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Some gopīs smelled and kissed Kṛṣṇa’s arm, which bore the fragrance of the lotus and was anointed with sandalwood paste. Others put Kṛṣṇa’s hand on their bodies, and yet others gave Kṛṣṇa pleasure by embracing Him lovingly.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.33
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karṇaupon their ears
  2. utpalawith the lotus flowers
  3. alakaby locks of their hair
  4. vitaṅkadecorated
  5. kapolatheir cheeks
  6. gharmawith perspiration
  7. vaktraof their faces
  8. śriyaḥthe beauty
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

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

As you read these beautiful details, do you keep the Supreme Lord at the center of your attention?

Practice

Reread the verse and identify three details surrounding the gopīs’ dance with the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeauty and Music Around the Supreme LordThis 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 10.33.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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