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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
  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 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa
10.44.1310.44.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.14

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The womensince 10.44.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गोप्यस्तप: किमचरन् यदमुष्य रूपंलावण्यसारमसमोर्ध्वमनन्यसिद्धम् । द‍ृग्भि: पिबन्त्यनुसवाभिनवं दुराप-मेकान्तधाम यशस: श्रिय ऐश्वरस्य ॥ १४ ॥

gopyas tapaḥ kim acaran yad amuṣya rūpaṁ

lāvaṇya-sāram asamordhvam ananya-siddham

dṛgbhiḥ pibanty anusavābhinavaṁ durāpam

ekānta-dhāma yaśasaḥ śriya aiśvarasya

Translation

What austerities must the gopīs have performed! With their eyes they always drink the nectar of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s form, which is the essence of loveliness and is not to be equaled or surpassed. That form is the only abode of beauty, fame and opulence. It is self-perfect, ever fresh and extremely rare.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Beauty Is Ever Fresh

  1. 1

    The speakers marvel at what austerities the gopīs must have performed to always drink the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s form with their eyes.

  2. 2

    His form is the essence of loveliness and cannot be equaled or surpassed. It is the only abode of beauty, fame and opulence.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa’s form is self-perfect, ever fresh and extremely rare.

Key points from the purport
  • The word meanings and translation for this verse are from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 4.156).

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 10.44.14 quotesCC Ādi 4.156

The word meanings and translation for this verse are from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 4.156).

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 21.112

This verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.44.14) was spoken by the women of Mathurā when they saw Kṛṣṇa in the wrestling arena.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Because Vasudeva and Devakī did not fully understand the power of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, they became extremely unhappy when they heard the women of the audience speak these words. Śrī Kṛṣṇa then grabbed Cāṇūra’s arms, whirled him around several times and threw him to the ground, killing him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.44
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gopyaḥthe gopīs
  2. tapaḥausterities
  3. kimwhat
  4. acaranperformed
  5. yatfrom which
  6. amuṣyaof such a one (Lord Kṛṣṇa)
  7. rūpamthe form
  8. lāvaṇya-sāramthe essence of loveliness
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 10.44

    In this verse: “loveliness”

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

Which quality of Kṛṣṇa’s form would you like to contemplate more deeply?

Practice

Choose one quality of Kṛṣṇa’s form from this verse and reflect on it for one minute.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Beauty Is Ever FreshThis 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 10.44.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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