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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 33: The Rāsa Dance
10.33.1910.33.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.33.20

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.33.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तासां रतिविहारेण श्रान्तानां वदनानि स: ।

प्रामृजत् करुण: प्रेम्णा शन्तमेनाङ्ग पाणिना ॥ २० ॥

tāsāṁ rati-vihāreṇa

śrāntānāṁ vadanāni saḥ

prāmṛjat karuṇaḥ premṇā

śantamenāṅga pāṇinā

Translation

Seeing that the gopīs were fatigued from conjugal enjoyment, my dear King, merciful Kṛṣṇa lovingly wiped their faces with His comforting hand.

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 Lovingly Comforts the Fatigued Gopīs

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa saw that the gopīs were fatigued from conjugal enjoyment.

  2. 2

    In His mercy, He lovingly wiped their faces.

  3. 3

    His hand was comforting, and His action expressed loving care.

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. tāsāmof them, the gopīs
  2. ratiof conjugal love
  3. vihāreṇaby the enjoyment
  4. śrāntānāmwho were fatigued
  5. vadanānithe faces
  6. saḥHe
  7. prāmṛjatwiped
  8. karuṇaḥmerciful
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.33

    In this verse: “king”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s response to the gopīs’ fatigue reveal about His mercy?

Practice

Pause today to remember Kṛṣṇa lovingly wiping the gopīs’ faces, and appreciate His merciful care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Lovingly Comforts the Fatigued GopīsThis 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.

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