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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 35: The Gopīs Sing of Kṛṣṇa as He Wanders in the Forest
10.35.110.35.4-5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.35.2-3

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

श्रीगोप्य ऊचु:

वामबाहुकृतवामकपोलो

वल्गितभ्रुरधरार्पितवेणुम् ।

कोमलाङ्गुलिभिराश्रितमार्गं

गोप्य ईरयति यत्र मुकुन्द: ॥ २ ॥

व्योमयानवनिता: सह सिद्धै-

र्विस्मितास्तदुपधार्य सलज्जा: ।

काममार्गणसमर्पितचित्ता:

कश्मलं ययुरपस्मृतनीव्य: ॥ ३ ॥

śrī-gopya ūcuḥ

vāma-bāhu-kṛta-vāma-kapolo

valgita-bhrur adharārpita-veṇum

komalāṅgulibhir āśrita-mārgaṁ

gopya īrayati yatra mukundaḥ

vyoma-yāna-vanitāḥ saha siddhair

vismitās tad upadhārya sa-lajjāḥ

kāma-mārgaṇa-samarpita-cittāḥ

kaśmalaṁ yayur apasmṛta-nīvyaḥ

Translation

The gopīs said: When Mukunda vibrates the flute He has placed to His lips, stopping its holes with His tender fingers, He rests His left cheek on His left arm and makes His eyebrows dance. At that time the demigoddesses traveling in the sky with their husbands, the Siddhas, become amazed. As those ladies listen, they are embarrassed to find their minds yielding to the pursuit of lusty desires, and in their distress they are unaware that the belts of their garments are loosening.

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.

Mukunda’s Flute Amazes the Heavenly Ladies

  1. 1

    Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that this chapter collects statements the gopīs made at various times in small groups throughout Vṛndāvana.

  2. 2

    The gopīs describe Mukunda resting His left cheek on His left arm, moving His eyebrows and playing His flute with tender fingers.

  3. 3

    The demigoddesses traveling with their husbands become amazed by the sound. Embarrassed by their awakened desires, they lose awareness of their loosening garments.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī states that this chapter consists of a collection of statements the gopīs made at various times as they stood in small groups here and there in Vṛndāvana.

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 He stands in His threefold-bending way and plays upon His flute, the Siddhas’ wives, flying in the sky with their husbands, become attracted to Him and forget external reality. The bulls, cows and other animals in the pasture become stunned in ecstasy, and they stand so still, with the grass unchewed between their teeth, that they appear like figures in a drawing.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.35
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥthe gopīs said
  2. vāmaleft
  3. bāhuon His arm
  4. kṛtaputting
  5. vāmaleft
  6. kapolaḥHis cheek
  7. valgitamoving
  8. bhruḥHis eyebrows
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “lusty”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “distress”

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 Mukunda’s flute-playing draws your attention most?

Practice

Read the description of Mukunda’s posture slowly, then spend one minute remembering Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMukunda’s Flute Amazes the Heavenly LadiesThis 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 10.35.2-3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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