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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 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

10.34.20 10.34.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.21

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

उपगीयमानौ ललितं स्त्रीजनैर्बद्धसौहृदै: ।

स्वलङ्कृतानुलिप्ताङ्गौ स्रग्विनौ विरजोऽम्बरौ ॥ २१ ॥

upagīyamānau lalitaṁ

strī-janair baddha-sauhṛdaiḥ

sv-alaṅkṛtānuliptāṅgau

sragvinau virajo-’mbarau

Translation

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wore flower garlands and spotless garments, and Their limbs were beautifully decorated and anointed. The women sang Their glories in a charming way, bound to Them by affection.

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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.

Affection Finds Expression in Singing Glories

1
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wore flower garlands and spotless garments.
2
Their limbs were beautifully decorated and anointed.
3
Bound to Them by affection, the women sang Their glories in a charming way.

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

Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The girlfriends of Baladeva and those of Kṛṣṇa joined together and sang about Their transcendental qualities. When the two Lords became absorbed in singing to the point of apparent intoxication, a servant of Kuvera’s named Śaṅkhacūḍa boldly came forward and began abducting the gopīs.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.34