1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.42.3710.43.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.42.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नन्दगोपादयो गोपा भोजराजसमाहुता: । निवेदितोपायनास्त एकस्मिन्मञ्च आविशन् ॥ ३८ ॥

nanda-gopādayo gopā

bhoja-rāja-samāhutāḥ

niveditopāyanās ta

ekasmin mañca āviśan

Translation

Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherds, summoned by the King of the Bhojas, presented him with their offerings and then took their seats in one of the galleries.

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.

Nanda Presents Offerings and Takes His Seat

  1. 1

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Kaṁsa respectfully called the leaders of Vraja forward to present their offerings to the central government. He urged Nanda Mahārāja to come without fear.

  2. 2

    Kaṁsa said he had arranged the wrestling match to test the strength of Nanda’s two sons. Nanda noticed They were absent, and Kaṁsa sent cowherd men to find Them and tell Them to return.

  3. 3

    Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherds presented their offerings and sat in a gallery. The ācārya explains that they could not find seats on the royal dais.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, the word samāhutāḥ indicates that King Kaṁsa respectfully called the leaders of Vraja forward so that they could make their offerings to the central government.
  • According to the ācārya, Kaṁsa assured Nanda as follows: “My dear King of Vraja, you are the most important of my village rulers.
  • The ācārya also states that the reason Nanda and the other cowherd men sat in the galleries was that they could not find any sitting places on the royal dais.

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:

Crowds of people from the city and outlying districts entered the arena and took their seats in the lavishly decorated galleries. Kaṁsa, his heart trembling, sat down on the royal dais and invited Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men to come sit in their places, and they did so after offering him their gifts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanda-gopa-ādayaḥheaded by Nanda Gopa
  2. gopāḥthe cowherds
  3. bhoja-rājaby Kaṁsa, King of the Bhojas
  4. samāhutāḥcalled forward
  5. niveditapresenting
  6. upāyanāḥtheir offerings
  7. tethey
  8. ekasminin one
  9. mañceviewing gallery
  10. āviśansat down
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”, “government”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “nanda”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “fear”

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 does the purport help me understand why Nanda and the cowherds sat in a gallery?

Practice

Reread the translation and identify one detail whose reason becomes clear in the purport.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNanda Presents Offerings and Takes His SeatThis 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 10.42.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories