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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.34.310.34.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.34.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ऊषु: सरस्वतीतीरे जलं प्राश्य यतव्रता: ।

रजनीं तां महाभागा नन्दसुनन्दकादय: ॥ ४ ॥

ūṣuḥ sarasvatī-tīre

jalaṁ prāśya yata-vratāḥ

rajanīṁ tāṁ mahā-bhāgā

nanda-sunandakādayaḥ

Translation

Nanda, Sunanda and the other greatly fortunate cowherds spent that night on the bank of the Sarasvatī, strictly observing their vows. They fasted, taking only water.

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.

Steadiness in Sacred Vows

  1. 1

    Nanda, Sunanda and the other greatly fortunate cowherds spent the night on the bank of the Sarasvatī.

  2. 2

    They strictly observed their vows, fasting and taking only water.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Sunanda is Nanda Mahārāja’s younger brother.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Sunanda is the younger brother of Nanda Mahārāja.

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:

After bathing in the Sarasvatī River and worshiping Lord Sadāśiva, a form of Lord Viṣṇu, they decided to spend the night in the forest. As they slept, a hungry serpent came and began to swallow Nanda Mahārāja.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ūṣuḥthey stayed
  2. sarasvatī-tīreon the bank of the Sarasvatī
  3. jalamwater
  4. prāśyasubsisting on
  5. yata-vratāḥtaking strict vows
  6. rajanīmthe night
  7. tāmthat
  8. mahā-bhāgāḥthe greatly fortunate ones
  9. nanda-sunandaka-ādayaḥNanda, Sunanda and the others
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.34

    In this verse: “nanda”

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

How carefully do I keep the commitments I make for worship?

Practice

Choose one small commitment for your worship today, such as a fixed time, and keep it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySteadiness in Sacred VowsThis 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 10.34.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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