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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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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 39: Akrūra’s Vision
10.39.2110.39.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.22

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.39.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न नन्दसूनु: क्षणभङ्गसौहृद:

समीक्षते न: स्वकृतातुरा बत ।

विहाय गेहान् स्वजनान् सुतान्पतीं-

स्तद्दास्यमद्धोपगता नवप्रिय: ॥ २२ ॥

na nanda-sūnuḥ kṣaṇa-bhaṅga-sauhṛdaḥ

samīkṣate naḥ sva-kṛtāturā bata

vihāya gehān sva-janān sutān patīṁs

tad-dāsyam addhopagatā nava-priyaḥ

Translation

Alas, Nanda’s son, who breaks loving friendships in a second, will not even look directly at us. Forcibly brought under His control, we abandoned our homes, relatives, children and husbands just to serve Him, but He is always looking for new lovers.

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.

Service Amid the Pain of Separation

  1. 1

    The gopīs lamented that Nanda's son would not even look directly at them. They spoke as though He could break loving friendships in a moment.

  2. 2

    They recalled abandoning homes, relatives, children and husbands just to serve Him. Their words reveal how completely their lives centered on His service.

  3. 3

    Feeling brought under His control, they complained that He was always seeking new lovers. These are their anguished words about Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

How it feels

Anxiety and conflict → Liberation and joy. Heroic victory is complicated by separation from Vraja.

Chapters 39–45 of Canto 10: Mathurā, Kaṁsa and reunion with parents. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 39: Akrūra’s Vision

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then, chanting Kṛṣṇa’s glories all the while, they despondently returned to their homes. Akrūra halted the chariot at the bank of the Yamunā so Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma could perform a ritual of purification and drink some water.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nadoes not
  2. nanda-sūnuḥthe son of Nanda Mahārāja
  3. kṣaṇain a moment
  4. bhaṅgathe breaking
  5. sauhṛdaḥof whose friendship
  6. samīkṣatelook upon
  7. naḥus
  8. svaby Him
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “nanda’s”, “children”, “nanda's”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “lovers”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “friendships”

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 can I learn from the central place of service in the gopīs' lives?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today specifically for devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayService Amid the Pain of SeparationThis 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 10.39.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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