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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 35: The Gopīs Sing of Kṛṣṇa as He Wanders in the Forest
10.35.14-1510.35.18-19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.35.16-17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.35.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

निजपदाब्जदलैर्ध्वजवज्र-

नीरजाङ्कुशविचित्रललामै: ।

व्रजभुव: शमयन् खुरतोदं

वर्ष्मधुर्यगतिरीडितवेणु: ॥ १६ ॥

व्रजति तेन वयं सविलास-

वीक्षणार्पितमनोभववेगा: ।

कुजगतिं गमिता न विदाम:

कश्मलेन कवरं वसनं वा ॥ १७ ॥

nija-padābja-dalair dhvaja-vajra

nīrajāṅkuśa-vicitra-lalāmaiḥ

vraja-bhuvaḥ śamayan khura-todaṁ

varṣma-dhurya-gatir īḍita-veṇuḥ

vrajati tena vayaṁ sa-vilāsa

vīkṣaṇārpita-manobhava-vegāḥ

kuja-gatiṁ gamitā na vidāmaḥ

kaśmalena kavaraṁ vasanaṁ vā

Translation

As Kṛṣṇa strolls through Vraja with His lotus-petal-like feet, marking the ground with the distinctive emblems of flag, thunderbolt, lotus and elephant goad, He relieves the distress the ground feels from the cows’ hooves. As He plays His renowned flute, His body moves with the grace of an elephant. Thus we gopīs, who become agitated by Cupid when Kṛṣṇa playfully glances at us, stand as still as trees, unaware that our hair and garments are slackening.

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.

The Gopīs Remain Absorbed in Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa’s lotus-petal-like feet bear distinctive emblems and relieve the ground’s distress from the cows’ hooves.

  2. 2

    Mother Yaśodā is no longer present as the gopīs confidentially describe their conjugal attraction to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. His playful glances leave them standing motionless and unaware of their loosening hair and garments.

  3. 3

    The statements in this chapter were spoken at various times and places. This is natural because the gopīs were always absorbed in thoughts of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, day and night.

Key points from the purport
  • Here mother Yaśodā is no longer in the company of the gopīs, who are confidentially describing their conjugal attraction to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • It is clear from the comments of Jīva Gosvāmī and other ācāryas that the statements in this chapter were made at various times and places.
  • This is natural, since the gopīs were always absorbed in thoughts of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, day and night.

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 35: The Gopīs Sing of Kṛṣṇa as He Wanders in the Forest

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

“When Kṛṣṇa is returning to Vraja, He constantly plays His flute while His young companions chant His glories, and Brahmā and other chief demigods come to worship His lotus feet.” Thus the gopīs, feeling intense separation from Kṛṣṇa, sing of His pastimes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.35
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nijaHis own
  2. pada-abjaof the lotus feet
  3. dalaiḥlike flower petals
  4. dhvajaof a flag
  5. vajrathunderbolt
  6. nīrajalotus
  7. aṅkuśaand elephant goad
  8. vicitravariegated
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “mother”

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 the gopīs’ constant remembrance suggest about giving Kṛṣṇa a place in your day?

Practice

Pause once today to remember Kṛṣṇa walking through Vraja with His lotus-petal-like feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Gopīs Remain Absorbed in KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.35.16-17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.