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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 46: Uddhava Visits Vṛndāvana

10.46.22 10.46.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.46.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Nanda Mahārājasince 10.46.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मन्ये कृष्णं च रामं च प्राप्ताविह सुरोत्तमौ ।

सुराणां महदर्थाय गर्गस्य वचनं यथा ॥ २३ ॥

manye kṛṣṇaṁ ca rāmaṁ ca

prāptāv iha surottamau

surāṇāṁ mahad-arthāya

gargasya vacanaṁ yathā

Translation

In my opinion, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be two exalted demigods who have come to this planet to fulfill some great mission of the demigods. Such was foretold by Garga Ṛṣi.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nanda Reflects on Their Divine Mission

1
Nanda expressed his opinion that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be two exalted demigods.
2
He thought They had come to this planet to fulfill a great mission of the demigods.
3
He connected this understanding with what Garga Ṛṣi had foretold.

How it feels

Heartache → Unbroken remembrance. Love endures and deepens despite visible absence.

Chapters 46–49 of Canto 10: Uddhava, the gopīs and the Song of the Bee. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 46: Uddhava Visits Vṛndāvana

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Garga Muni told me that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma have both descended directly from the spiritual world. Just see how They have so easily dispatched Kaṁsa, the wrestlers, the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa and many other demons!”

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.46

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

manyeI think
kṛṣṇamKṛṣṇa
caand
rāmamBalarāma
caand
prāptauobtained
ihaon this planet
suraof demigods

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
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.46
In this verse: “nanda”
Jñāna · Spiritual insight
Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.46
In this verse: “understanding”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Nanda’s recollection of Garga Ṛṣi’s words shape his understanding?

Practice

Reread the verse, noting that “In my opinion” introduces Nanda’s understanding of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNanda Reflects on Their Divine MissionThis 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 10.46.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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