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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
10.39.3010.39.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.39.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.39.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

एवं ब्रुवाणा विरहातुरा भृशं

व्रजस्त्रिय: कृष्णविषक्तमानसा: ।

विसृज्य लज्जां रुरुदु: स्म सुस्वरं

गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति ॥ ३१ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

evaṁ bruvāṇā virahāturā bhṛśaṁ

vraja-striyaḥ kṛṣṇa-viṣakta-mānasāḥ

visṛjya lajjāṁ ruruduḥ sma su-svaraṁ

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After speaking these words, the ladies of Vraja, who were so attached to Kṛṣṇa, felt extremely agitated by their imminent separation from Him. They forgot all shame and loudly cried out, “O Govinda! O Dāmodara! O Mādhava!”

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.

Love Calls Out Kṛṣṇa's Names

  1. 1

    For a long time, the gopīs had carefully hidden their conjugal love for Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    His imminent departure distressed them so deeply that they could no longer hide their feelings.

  3. 3

    Forgetting all shame, they loudly cried, “O Govinda! O Dāmodara! O Mādhava!”

Key points from the purport
  • For a long time the gopīs had carefully hidden their conjugal love for Kṛṣṇa.
  • But now that Kṛṣṇa was leaving, the gopīs were so distressed that they could no longer hide their feelings.

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

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. evamthus
  3. bruvāṇāḥspeaking
  4. virahaby feelings of separation
  5. āturāḥdistraught
  6. bhṛśamthoroughly
  7. vraja-striyaḥthe ladies of Vraja
  8. kṛṣṇato Kṛṣṇa
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “separation”, “cried”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.39

    In this verse: “attached”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”

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' cries reveal the attachment they had previously kept hidden?

Practice

With attention, say once: “O Govinda! O Dāmodara! O Mādhava!”

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 todayLove Calls Out Kṛṣṇa's NamesThis 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 10.39.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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