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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 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma
10.37.2610.37.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.37.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत्रासन् कतिचिच्चोरा: पालाश्च कतिचिन्नृप ।

मेषायिताश्च तत्रैके विजह्रुरकुतोभया: ॥ २७ ॥

tatrāsan katicic corāḥ

pālāś ca katicin nṛpa

meṣāyitāś ca tatraike

vijahrur akuto-bhayāḥ

Translation

In that game, O King, some acted as thieves, others as shepherds and others as sheep. They played their game happily, without fear of danger.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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 Boys Play Happily Without Fear

  1. 1

    Some boys took the roles of thieves in the game.

  2. 2

    Others acted as shepherds, while still others acted as sheep.

  3. 3

    The boys played happily, without fear of danger.

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 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Some of the boys took the role of sheep, some the role of thieves, and others shepherds. The shepherds would search for the sheep when the thieves stole them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.37
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatrain that
  2. āsanwere
  3. katicitsome
  4. corāḥthieves
  5. pālāḥherders
  6. caand
  7. katicitsome
  8. nṛpaO King (Parīkṣit)
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.37

    In this verse: “fear”, “danger”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.37

    In this verse: “king”

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 description of happy, fearless play help me notice about this moment?

Practice

Pause over the words “happily, without fear of danger” as you reread the verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Boys Play Happily Without FearThis 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 10.37.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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