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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
10.42.310.42.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.4

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

रूपपेशलमाधुर्यहसितालापवीक्षितै: । धर्षितात्मा ददौ सान्द्रमुभयोरनुलेपनम् ॥ ४ ॥

rūpa-peśala-mādhurya

hasitālāpa-vīkṣitaiḥ

dharṣitātmā dadau sāndram

ubhayor anulepanam

Translation

Her mind overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty, charm, sweetness, smiles, words and glances, Trivakrā gave both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma generous amounts of ointment.

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.

Attraction Becomes a Generous Offering

  1. 1

    Trivakrā’s mind was overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty, charm and sweetness. His smiles, words and glances also captivated her.

  2. 2

    She gave generous amounts of ointment to both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

  3. 3

    The purport emphasizes her respectful response: “Please take it.” Her offering was suitable for applying to Their bodies.

Key points from the purport
  • This incident is also described in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (5.20.7):

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:

Entranced by His beauty and joking words, Trivakrā gave both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma a good deal of ointment. In return, Kṛṣṇa stepped on her toes with His lotus feet, took hold of her chin and lifted, thus straightening her spine.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rūpaby His beauty
  2. peśalacharm
  3. mādhuryasweetness
  4. hasitasmiles
  5. ālāpatalking
  6. vīkṣitaiḥand glances
  7. dharṣitaoverwhelmed
  8. ātmāher mind
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “sweetness”

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 can my appreciation of Kṛṣṇa become a respectful act of service?

Practice

Make one small devotional offering today with deliberate respect and generosity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttraction Becomes a Generous OfferingThis 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 10.42.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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