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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
10.35.24-2510.36.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.35.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.35.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

एवं व्रजस्त्रियो राजन् कृष्णलीलानुगायती: ।

रेमिरेऽह:सु तच्चित्तास्तन्मनस्का महोदया: ॥ २६ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

evaṁ vraja-striyo rājan

kṛṣṇa-līlānugāyatīḥ

remire ’haḥsu tac-cittās

tan-manaskā mahodayāḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, thus during the daytime the women of Vṛndāvana took pleasure in continuously singing about the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, and those ladies’ minds and hearts, absorbed in Him, were filled with great festivity.

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.

Singing of Kṛṣṇa Brings Spiritual Festivity

  1. 1

    During the daytime, the women of Vṛndāvana continuously sang about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. Their minds and hearts were absorbed in Him and filled with great festivity.

  2. 2

    The purport confirms that the heartbroken gopīs’ so-called pain is actually great spiritual bliss. Material pain is pain, but on the spiritual platform such apparent pain is another variety of spiritual ecstasy.

  3. 3

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His devotees expertly mix the flavors of spiritual bliss. Thus every day was a treat for the gopīs, whose pleasure was in singing about Him.

Key points from the purport
  • This verse definitely confirms that the so-called pain of the heartbroken gopīs is actually great spiritual bliss.
  • But on the spiritual platform, so-called pain is simply a different variety of spiritual ecstasy.
  • Similarly, on the spiritual platform Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His devotees expertly mix the flavors of spiritual bliss, and thus every day was a treat for the gopīs.

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. evamthus
  3. vraja-striyaḥthe women of Vraja
  4. rājanO King
  5. kṛṣṇa-līlāabout the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa
  6. anugāyatīḥcontinuously chanting
  7. remirethey enjoyed
  8. ahaḥsuduring the days
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “king”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.35

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 might the gopīs’ absorption encourage you to make singing about Kṛṣṇa part of your devotional service?

Practice

Spend two minutes today singing about one of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes described in these translations, gently keeping your mind on Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySinging of Kṛṣṇa Brings Spiritual FestivityThis 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 10.35.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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