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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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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.42.1 10.42.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.42.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

का त्वं वरोर्वेतदु हानुलेपनंकस्याङ्गने वा कथयस्व साधु न: । देह्यावयोरङ्गविलेपमुत्तमंश्रेयस्ततस्ते न चिराद् भविष्यति ॥ २ ॥

kā tvaṁ varorv etad u hānulepanaṁ

kasyāṅgane vā kathayasva sādhu naḥ

dehy āvayor aṅga-vilepam uttamaṁ

śreyas tatas te na cirād bhaviṣyati

Translation

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Who are you, O beautiful-thighed one? Ah, ointment! Who is it for, my dear lady? Please tell Us truthfully. Give Us both some of your finest ointment and you will soon gain a great boon.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Gentle Invitation to Give

1
Kṛṣṇa asked the woman who she was and for whom she carried the ointment. He invited her to answer truthfully.
2
He asked her to give both of Them some of her finest ointment, promising that she would soon receive a great boon.
3
His playful address, “O beautiful-thighed one,” was not malicious. He was actually about to make her beautiful.

Key points from the purport

The Lord jokingly addressed the lady as varoru, “O beautiful-thighed one.”
His joke was not malicious, since He was actually about to make her beautiful.

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

Chapter 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Lord asked her who she was and requested some ointment from her. Entranced by His beauty and joking words, Trivakrā gave both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma a good deal of ointment.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.42