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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 41: Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā
10.41.3810.41.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.41.39

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The washermansince 10.41.35inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वसित्वात्मप्रिये वस्‍‍‍‍‍त्रे कृष्ण: सङ्कर्षणस्तथा ।

शेषाण्यादत्त गोपेभ्यो विसृज्य भुवि कानिचित् ॥ ३९ ॥

vasitvātma-priye vastre

kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇas tathā

śeṣāṇy ādatta gopebhyo

visṛjya bhuvi kānicit

Translation

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma put on pairs of garments that especially pleased Them, and then Kṛṣṇa distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherd boys, leaving some scattered on the ground.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Shares with the Cowherd Boys

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma each put on a pair of garments that especially pleased Them.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherd boys.

  3. 3

    Some garments were left scattered on the ground. Not all the clothes were kept or distributed.

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 41: Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then took some of the garments They especially fancied. Next a weaver approached the two Lords and arrayed Them suitably, for which service he received from Kṛṣṇa opulence in this life and liberation in the next.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.41
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vasitvādressing Himself
  2. ātma-priyewhich He liked
  3. vastrein a pair of garments
  4. kṛṣṇaḥKṛṣṇa
  5. saṅkarṣaṇaḥBalarāma
  6. tathāalso
  7. śeṣāṇithe rest
  8. ādattaHe gave
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.41

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

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 stands out to me about Kṛṣṇa sharing the clothes with the cowherd boys?

Practice

Share one useful item with someone today, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s act of giving.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Shares with the Cowherd BoysThis 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 10.41.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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