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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 39: Akrūra’s Vision
10.39.2310.39.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.24

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

तासां मुकुन्दो मधुमञ्जुभाषितै-

र्गृहीतचित्त: परवान् मनस्व्यपि ।

कथं पुनर्न: प्रतियास्यतेऽबला

ग्राम्या: सलज्जस्मितविभ्रमैर्भ्रमन् ॥ २४ ॥

tāsāṁ mukundo madhu-mañju-bhāṣitair

gṛhīta-cittaḥ para-vān manasvy api

kathaṁ punar naḥ pratiyāsyate ’balā

grāmyāḥ salajja-smita-vibhramair bhraman

Translation

O gopīs, although our Mukunda is intelligent and very obedient to His parents, once He has fallen under the spell of the honey-sweet words of the women of Mathurā and been enchanted by their alluring, shy smiles, how will He ever return to us unsophisticated village girls?

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 Fear That Mukunda Will Not Return

  1. 1

    The gopīs acknowledge that Mukunda is intelligent and very obedient to His parents.

  2. 2

    They fear that the honey-sweet words and shy smiles of the women of Mathurā will enchant Him.

  3. 3

    Calling themselves unsophisticated village girls, they wonder how He will ever return to them.

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:

With these words the young cowherd girls began to chant Kṛṣṇa’s names and cry. But even as they wept, Akrūra began taking Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Mathurā in his chariot.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.39
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāsāmtheir
  2. mukundaḥKṛṣṇa
  3. madhulike honey
  4. mañjusweet
  5. bhāṣitaiḥby the words
  6. gṛhītaseized
  7. cittaḥwhose mind
  8. paravānsubservient
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 10.39

    In this verse: “fear”

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 do the gopīs' words express their longing for Mukunda's return?

Practice

Pause today to express in a short prayer your desire to remain close to Kṛṣṇa.

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.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.39's connections

Live this todayThe Fear That Mukunda Will Not 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 10.39.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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