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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 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow
10.42.1010.42.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Trivakrāsince 10.42.10inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं स्त्रिया याच्यमान: कृष्णो रामस्य पश्यत: । मुखं वीक्ष्यानु गोपानां प्रहसंस्तामुवाच ह ॥ ११ ॥

evaṁ striyā yācyamānaḥ

kṛṣṇo rāmasya paśyataḥ

mukhaṁ vīkṣyānu gopānāṁ

prahasaṁs tām uvāca ha

Translation

Thus entreated by the woman, Lord Kṛṣṇa first glanced at the face of Balarāma, who was watching the incident, and then at the faces of the cowherd boys. Then with a laugh Kṛṣṇa replied to her as follows.

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 Replies With a Laugh

  1. 1

    The woman entreated Lord Kṛṣṇa, and He prepared to reply.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa first glanced at Balarāma, who was watching, and then at the cowherd boys.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa replied to her with a laugh. The scene shows His warm, personal exchanges with those around Him.

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 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa replied that after He had taken care of some business He would certainly come and relieve her mental torment. Then the two Lords continued Their sightseeing tour of Mathurā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. striyāby the woman
  3. yācya nānaḥbeing begged
  4. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  5. rāmasyaof Balarāma
  6. paśyataḥwho was looking on
  7. mukhamat the face
  8. vīkṣyaglancing
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 10.42

    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 do Kṛṣṇa’s glances and laughter help you notice about His personal nature?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly, noticing Kṛṣṇa’s glances and laughter.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Replies With a LaughThis 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 10.42.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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