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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
10.33.1710.33.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.33.18

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

कृष्णविक्रीडितं वीक्ष्य मुमुहु: खेचरस्त्रिय: ।

कामार्दिता: शशाङ्कश्च सगणो विस्मितोऽभवत् ॥ १८ ॥

kṛṣṇa-vikrīḍitaṁ vīkṣya

mumuhuḥ khe-cara-striyaḥ

kāmārditāḥ śaśāṅkaś ca

sa-gaṇo vismito ’bhavat

Translation

The wives of the demigods, observing Kṛṣṇa’s playful activities from their airplanes, were entranced and became agitated with lust. Indeed, even the moon and his entourage, the stars, became astonished.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Play Astonishes the Heavenly Onlookers

  1. 1

    The wives of the demigods watched Kṛṣṇa’s playful activities from their airplanes.

  2. 2

    They became entranced and agitated with lust.

  3. 3

    Even the moon and his entourage, the stars, became astonished.

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:

Gradually the gopīs became fatigued from the continuous dancing and singing, and each of them placed her arm on the shoulder of the Kṛṣṇa standing beside her. Some gopīs smelled and kissed Kṛṣṇa’s arm, which bore the fragrance of the lotus and was anointed with sandalwood paste.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.33
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇa-vikrīḍitamthe playing of Kṛṣṇa
  2. vīkṣyaseeing
  3. mumuhuḥbecame entranced
  4. khe-caratraveling in the sky
  5. striyaḥthe women (demigoddesses)
  6. kāmaby lusty desires
  7. arditāḥagitated
  8. śaśāṅkaḥthe moon
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “lust”

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

What do the different reactions of these onlookers help you notice about Kṛṣṇa’s extraordinary activities?

Practice

Read the verse once and note the reactions of the demigods’ wives and of the moon and stars.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Play Astonishes the Heavenly OnlookersThis 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 10.33.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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