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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.45.27

Who is speaking and story frame

तेभ्योऽदाद्दक्षिणा गावो रुक्‍ममाला: स्वलङ्कृता: ।

स्वलङ्कृतेभ्य: सम्पूज्य सवत्सा: क्षौममालिनी: ॥ २७ ॥

tebhyo ’dād dakṣiṇā gāvo

rukma-mālāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ

sv-alaṅkṛtebhyaḥ sampūjya

sa-vatsāḥ kṣauma-mālinīḥ

Translation

Vasudeva honored these brāhmaṇas by worshiping them and giving them fine ornaments and well-ornamented cows with their calves. All these cows wore gold necklaces and linen wreaths.

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.

Honor Expressed Through Worship and Giving

  1. 1

    Vasudeva honors the brāhmaṇas by worshiping them.

  2. 2

    He gives them fine ornaments and well-ornamented cows with their calves.

  3. 3

    The cows wear gold necklaces and linen wreaths, showing the care with which he presents his gifts.

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 45: Kṛṣṇa Rescues His Teacher’s Son

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Next Vasudeva had his priests perform his sons’ ritual of second birth. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then went to Garga Muni to take the vow of brahmacarya, celibacy.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.45
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tebhyaḥto them (the brāhmaṇas)
  2. adāthe gave
  3. dakṣiṇāḥgifts in remuneration
  4. gāvaḥcows
  5. rukmaof gold
  6. mālāḥwith necklaces
  7. suwell
  8. alaṅkṛtāḥornamented
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.45

    In this verse: “worshiping”

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 the care you put into giving express genuine respect?

Practice

Prepare one small gift or offering thoughtfully, with attention to the person receiving it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Expressed Through Worship and GivingThis 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 10.45.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.