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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa
10.44.1410.44.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.15

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

या दोहनेऽवहनने मथनोपलेप-प्रेङ्खेङ्खनार्भरुदितोक्षणमार्जनादौ । गायन्ति चैनमनुरक्तधियोऽश्रुकण्ठ्योधन्या व्रजस्त्रिय उरुक्रमचित्तयाना: ॥ १५ ॥

yā dohane ’vahanane mathanopalepa

preṅkheṅkhanārbha-ruditokṣaṇa-mārjanādau

gāyanti cainam anurakta-dhiyo ’śru-kaṇṭhyo

dhanyā vraja-striya urukrama-citta-yānāḥ

Translation

The ladies of Vraja are the most fortunate of women because, with their minds fully attached to Kṛṣṇa and their throats always choked up with tears, they constantly sing about Him while milking the cows, winnowing grain, churning butter, gathering cow dung for fuel, riding on swings, taking care of their crying babies, sprinkling the ground with water, cleaning their houses, and so on. By their exalted Kṛṣṇa consciousness they automatically acquire all desirable things.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Sing About Kṛṣṇa During Daily Work

  1. 1

    The ladies of Vraja are most fortunate because their minds are fully attached to Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    With throats choked with tears, they constantly sing about Him while doing household work and caring for their babies.

  3. 3

    Through their exalted Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they automatically acquire all desirable things. Their daily activities are filled with loving remembrance of Him.

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. yaḥwho (the gopīs)
  2. dohanewhile milking
  3. avahananethreshing
  4. mathanachurning
  5. upalepasmearing
  6. preṅkhaon swings
  7. iṅkhanaswinging
  8. arbha-rudita(taking care of) crying babies
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.44

    In this verse: “attached”, “household”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.44

    In this verse: “crying”

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 daily task could become an opportunity to sing about Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

While cleaning today, spend a few minutes singing about Kṛṣṇa as a small act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySing About Kṛṣṇa During Daily WorkThis 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 10.44.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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