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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.22

Who is speaking and story frame

निशामुखं मानयन्तावुदितोडुपतारकम् ।

मल्लिकागन्धमत्तालि जुष्टं कुमुदवायुना ॥ २२ ॥

niśā-mukhaṁ mānayantāv

uditoḍupa-tārakam

mallikā-gandha-mattāli-

juṣṭaṁ kumuda-vāyunā

Translation

The two Lords praised the nightfall, signaled by the rising of the moon and the appearance of stars, a lotus-scented breeze and bees intoxicated by the fragrance of jasmine flowers.

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.

The Two Lords Appreciate Nightfall

  1. 1

    The two Lords praised the beginning of night, marked by the rising moon and the appearance of stars.

  2. 2

    A lotus-scented breeze added to the beauty of the evening.

  3. 3

    Bees were intoxicated by the fragrance of jasmine flowers. These details describe the setting the Lords appreciated.

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:

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. The young girls called out, “Kṛṣṇa, please save us!” and He and Rāma began to chase after Śaṅkhacūḍa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niśā-mukhamthe beginning of night
  2. mānayantauthe two of Them honoring
  3. uditahaving risen
  4. uḍupathe moon
  5. tārakamand stars
  6. mallikāof the jasmine flowers
  7. gandhaby the fragrance
  8. mattaintoxicated
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

Which detail of this evening helps you picture the Lords appreciating nightfall?

Practice

At nightfall today, spend a moment recalling the moon, stars and fragrant breeze described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Two Lords Appreciate NightfallThis 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 10.34.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.