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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 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
10.34.1910.34.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The serpentsince 10.34.12-13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कदाचिदथ गोविन्दो रामश्चाद्भ‍ुतविक्रम: ।

विजह्रतुर्वने रात्र्यां मध्यगौ व्रजयोषिताम् ॥ २० ॥

kadācid atha govindo

rāmaś cādbhuta-vikramaḥ

vijahratur vane rātryāṁ

madhya-gau vraja-yoṣitām

Translation

Once Lord Govinda and Lord Rāma, the performers of wonderful feats, were playing in the forest at night with the young girls of Vraja.

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.

A New Forest Pastime Begins

  1. 1

    This verse introduces a new pastime of Lord Govinda and Lord Rāma, the performers of wonderful feats.

  2. 2

    They were playing in the forest at night with the young girls of Vraja.

  3. 3

    According to the ācāryas, the occasion was Holikā-pūrṇimā, also known as Gaura-pūrṇimā.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, the occasion mentioned here is the Holikā-pūrṇimā, a day also known as Gaura-pūrṇimā.

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

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The young girls called out, “Kṛṣṇa, please save us!” and He and Rāma began to chase after Śaṅkhacūḍa. “Don’t be afraid!”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kadāciton one occasion
  2. athathen
  3. govindaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  4. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  5. caand
  6. adbhutawonderful
  7. vikramaḥwhose deeds
  8. vijahratuḥthe two of Them played
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

What helps me give careful attention when reading about the Lord’s pastimes?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly, noticing the Lords, the setting and Their companions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.34's connections

Live this todayA New Forest Pastime BeginsThis 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 10.34.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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