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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 · Texts 10.35.22-23

Who is speaking and story frame

वत्सलो व्रजगवां यदगध्रो

वन्द्यमानचरण: पथि वृद्धै: ।

कृत्‍स्‍नगोधनमुपोह्य दिनान्ते

गीतवेणुरनुगेडितकीर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥

उत्सवं श्रमरुचापि द‍ृशीना-

मुन्नयन् खुररजश्छुरितस्रक् ।

दित्सयैति सुहृदासिष एष

देवकीजठरभूरुडुराज: ॥ २३ ॥

vatsalo vraja-gavāṁ yad aga-dhro

vandyamāna-caraṇaḥ pathi vṛddhaiḥ

kṛtsna-go-dhanam upohya dinānte

gīta-veṇur anugeḍita-kīrtiḥ

utsavaṁ śrama-rucāpi dṛśīnām

unnayan khura-rajaś-churita-srak

ditsayaiti suhṛd-āsiṣa eṣa

devakī-jaṭhara-bhūr uḍu-rājaḥ

Translation

Out of great affection for the cows of Vraja, Kṛṣṇa became the lifter of Govardhana Hill. At the end of the day, having rounded up all His own cows, He plays a song on His flute, while exalted demigods standing along the path worship His lotus feet and the cowherd boys accompanying Him chant His glories. His garland is powdered by the dust raised by the cows’ hooves, and His beauty, enhanced by His fatigue, creates an ecstatic festival for everyone’s eyes. Eager to fulfill His friends’ desires, Kṛṣṇa is the moon arisen from the womb of mother Yaśodā.

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.

Eagerly Awaiting Kṛṣṇa’s Return

  1. 1

    Out of great affection for the cows of Vraja, Kṛṣṇa lifted Govardhana Hill. At day’s end, He gathers His cows and returns while playing His flute.

  2. 2

    The gopīs climbed into the watchtowers of Vṛndāvana’s houses to see Kṛṣṇa as soon as possible. Mother Yaśodā, anxious for His return, asked the tallest of the beautiful young gopīs to watch for Him.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that Kṛṣṇa was somewhat delayed because great demigods were worshiping His lotus feet along the path. His companions chant His glories, and His beauty creates a festival for everyone’s eyes.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, at this point the gopīs climbed into the watchtowers of Vṛndāvana’s houses so they could see Kṛṣṇa as soon as possible when He returned home.
  • Mother Yaśodā was very anxious for her son to come back, and therefore she had the tallest of the beautiful young gopīs climb up to see when He would arrive.
  • It is implied here that Kṛṣṇa was somewhat delayed on the way home because His lotus feet were being worshiped by great demigods along the path.

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. vatsalaḥaffectionate
  2. vraja-gavāmto the cows of Vraja
  3. yatbecause
  4. agaof the mountain
  5. dhraḥthe lifter
  6. vandyamānabeing worshiped
  7. caraṇaḥHis feet
  8. pathialong the path
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “friends’”, “cowherd boys”, “companions”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “mother”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “worship”, “worshiping”

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 eagerness of mother Yaśodā and the gopīs teach you about loving attention to Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to remember Kṛṣṇa returning with His cows, playing His flute as His companions praise Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Live this todayEagerly Awaiting Kṛṣṇa’s ReturnThis 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 10.35.22-23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.