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 33: The Rāsa Dance
10.33.1510.33.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.33.16

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

एवं परिष्वङ्गकराभिमर्श-

स्निग्धेक्षणोद्दामविलासहासै: ।

रेमे रमेशो व्रजसुन्दरीभि-

र्यथार्भक: स्वप्रतिबिम्बविभ्रम: ॥ १६ ॥

evaṁ pariṣvaṅga-karābhimarśa-

snigdhekṣaṇoddāma-vilāsa-hāsaiḥ

reme rameśo vraja-sundarībhir

yathārbhakaḥ sva-pratibimba-vibhramaḥ

Translation

In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original Lord Nārāyaṇa, master of the goddess of fortune, took pleasure in the company of the young women of Vraja by embracing them, caressing them and glancing lovingly at them as He smiled His broad, playful smiles. It was just as if a child were playing with his own reflection.

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 Plays with His Spiritual Potencies

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original Lord Nārāyaṇa and master of the goddess of fortune, alone is the Supreme Absolute Truth. His unlimited potencies take personal forms and engage Him in His pastimes.

  2. 2

    By Kṛṣṇa’s desire, His spiritual energy Yoga-māyā manifests the gopīs. In the rāsa dance, He manifests Himself as many times as there are potencies represented by them.

  3. 3

    His loving play is compared to a child playing with his own reflection. Created by His spiritual potency to enhance His transcendental emotions, these pastimes are eternal and self-manifesting.

Key points from the purport
  • All these potencies, taking personal forms, engage Lord Kṛṣṇa in His pastimes.
  • Just as the opulent manifestation of His one supreme transcendental potency manifests all the countless potencies of the Lord, so in the rāsa dance Kṛṣṇa manifests Himself as many times as there are various potencies represented by the gopīs.
  • When His internal potency Yoga-māyā thus produces such pastimes for the enhancement of His transcendental emotions, it is just like a young boy playing with His own reflection.

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 33: The Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Others put Kṛṣṇa’s hand on their bodies, and yet others gave Kṛṣṇa pleasure by embracing Him lovingly. Lord Kṛṣṇa, being the Supreme Absolute Truth, is the only actual enjoyer and object of enjoyment.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.33
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. pariṣvaṅgawith embracing
  3. karaby His hand
  4. abhimarśawith touching
  5. snigdhaaffectionate
  6. īkṣaṇawith glances
  7. uddāmabroad
  8. vilāsaplayful
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “child”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

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

How does understanding the gopīs as Kṛṣṇa’s spiritual potencies shape your reading of this pastime?

Practice

Before rereading the verse, recall that Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes arise from His spiritual potency and are eternal.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Plays with His Spiritual PotenciesThis 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 10.33.16? 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