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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 10.47.15

Who is speaking and story frame

दिवि भुवि च रसायां का: स्‍त्रियस्तद्दुरापा:

कपटरुचिरहासभ्रूविजृम्भस्य या: स्यु: ।

चरणरज उपास्ते यस्य भूतिर्वयं का

अपि च कृपणपक्षे ह्युत्तम:श्लोकशब्द: ॥ १५ ॥

divi bhuvi ca rasāyāṁ kāḥ striyas tad-durāpāḥ

kapaṭa-rucira-hāsa-bhrū-vijṛmbhasya yāḥ syuḥ

caraṇa-raja upāste yasya bhūtir vayaṁ kā

api ca kṛpaṇa-pakṣe hy uttamaḥ-śloka-śabdaḥ

Translation

In heaven, on earth or in the subterranean sphere, what women are unavailable to Him? He simply arches His eyebrows and smiles with deceptive charm, and they all become His. The supreme goddess herself worships the dust of His feet, so what is our position in comparison? But at least those who are wretched can chant His name, Uttamaḥśloka.

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.

Calling for Mercy Through His Name

  1. 1

    Rādhārāṇī’s speech expresses the feelings of a disappointed lover. The purport explains that it reveals love for Kṛṣṇa surpassing even that of the goddess of fortune.

  2. 2

    All the gopīs are perfectly compatible with Kṛṣṇa in beauty, temperament and other qualities. Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is especially so.

  3. 3

    She appeals to His name Uttamaḥśloka, indicating His mercy toward the wretched and fallen. Her proud, jealous reproaches are called ujjalpa.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī states that Rādhārāṇī’s speech, expressing all the feelings of a disappointed lover, indicates an intensity of love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa surpassing even that of the goddess of fortune.
  • In Her forlorn state, Rādhārāṇī indicates to Kṛṣṇa, “You are called Uttamaḥśloka because You are merciful to the wretched and fallen, but if You would be merciful to Me, then You would actually deserve this exalted name.”
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī further points out that in this verse, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī expresses Her spite born of pride, accuses Kṛṣṇa of being a cheater and finds fault with His behavior.

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

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

Further reading

Chapter 47: The Song of the Bee

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although we know that the greatest happiness comes from renunciation, we simply cannot stop hoping to attain Kṛṣṇa, for the marks of His lotus feet are still present throughout the land of Vraja, reminding us of His graceful gait, generous smiles and gentle talks. By all these our hearts have been stolen away.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. diviin the heavenly region
  2. bhuvion the earth
  3. caand
  4. rasāyāmin the subterranean sphere
  5. kāḥwhat
  6. striyaḥwomen
  7. tatby Him
  8. durāpāḥunobtainable
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 10.47

    In this verse: “worships”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “chant”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “proud”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can the name Uttamaḥśloka encourage me to seek Kṛṣṇa’s mercy?

Practice

Today, softly chant the name Uttamaḥśloka while remembering His mercy toward the wretched and fallen.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCalling for Mercy Through His NameThis 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 10.47.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.