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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
10.42.210.42.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The maidservantsince 10.42.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सैरन्‍ध्र्युवाच

दास्यस्म्यहं सुन्दर कंससम्मतात्रिवक्रनामा ह्यनुलेपकर्मणि । मद्भ‍ावितं भोजपतेरतिप्रियंविना युवां कोऽन्यतमस्तदर्हति ॥ ३ ॥

sairandhry uvāca

dāsy asmy ahaṁ sundara kaṁsa-sammatā

trivakra-nāmā hy anulepa-karmaṇi

mad-bhāvitaṁ bhoja-pater ati-priyaṁ

vinā yuvāṁ ko ’nyatamas tad arhati

Translation

The maidservant replied: O handsome one, I am a servant of King Kaṁsa, who highly regards me for the ointments I make. My name is Trivakrā. Who else but You two deserve my ointments, which the lord of the Bhojas likes so much?

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.

Offering One’s Skill to the Lord

  1. 1

    Trivakrā introduced herself as a servant of King Kaṁsa, who highly valued the ointments she made. Yet she declared that the two Lords were the most deserving recipients.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that her singular address, “O handsome one,” hinted at conjugal desire for Kṛṣṇa alone. She then said “for both of You” to conceal that feeling.

  3. 3

    She is also known as Kubjā. Her name Trivakrā indicates that her body was bent at the neck, chest and waist.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Trivakrā, who is also known as Kubjā, used the singular address sundara, “O handsome one,” to hint that she felt conjugal desire for Kṛṣṇa alone, and she used the dual form yuvām, “for both of You,” to try to hide her conjugal sentiment.
  • The hunchback’s name, Trivakrā, indicates that her body was bent at the neck, chest and waist.

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 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After leaving Sudāmā’s house, Lord Kṛṣṇa came upon Trivakrā, a young hunchbacked maidservant of Kaṁsa’s who was carrying a tray of fine ointments. The Lord asked her who she was and requested some ointment from her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sairandhrī uvācathe maidservant said
  2. dāsīa servant
  3. asmiam
  4. ahamI
  5. sundaraO handsome one
  6. kaṁsaby Kaṁsa
  7. sammatārespected
  8. trivakra-nāmāknown as Trivakrā (“bent in three places”)
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “king”

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 skill of mine could I use as an offering to the Lord?

Practice

Identify one skill you have and write down one concrete way to use it in devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffering One’s Skill to the LordThis 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 10.42.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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