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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.33.16 10.33.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.33.17

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

तदङ्गसङ्गप्रमुदाकुलेन्द्रिया:

केशान् दुकूलं कुचपट्टिकां वा ।

नाञ्ज: प्रतिव्योढुमलं व्रजस्त्रियो

विस्रस्तमालाभरणा: कुरूद्वह ॥ १७ ॥

tad-aṅga-saṅga-pramudākulendriyāḥ

keśān dukūlaṁ kuca-paṭṭikāṁ vā

nāñjaḥ prativyoḍhum alaṁ vraja-striyo

visrasta-mālābharaṇāḥ kurūdvaha

Translation

Their senses overwhelmed by the joy of having His physical association, the gopīs could not prevent their hair, their dresses and the cloths covering their breasts from becoming disheveled. Their garlands and ornaments scattered, O hero of the Kuru dynasty.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Overwhelmed by Joy in Kṛṣṇa’s Association

1
The gopīs’ senses were overwhelmed by the joy of physical association with Kṛṣṇa.
2
They could not keep their hair, dresses, and breast coverings properly arranged.
3
Their garlands and ornaments scattered as they experienced this overflowing joy.

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

Chapter 33: The Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The gopīs became intoxicated with their enthusiasm to enjoy the rāsa dance, and thus they began satisfying Kṛṣṇa’s senses by singing, dancing and gesturing amorously. The sweet voices of the gopīs filled all the directions.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.33