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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 47: The Song of the Bee
10.47.2410.47.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 10.47.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भगवत्युत्तम:श्लोके भवतीभिरनुत्तमा ।

भक्ति: प्रवर्तिता दिष्‍ट्या मुनीनामपि दुर्लभा ॥ २५ ॥

bhagavaty uttamaḥ-śloke

bhavatībhir anuttamā

bhaktiḥ pravartitā diṣṭyā

munīnām api durlabhā

Translation

By your great fortune you have established an unexcelled standard of pure devotion for the Lord, Uttamaḥśloka — a standard even the sages can hardly attain.

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.

The Gopīs’ Unexcelled Gift of Devotion

  1. 1

    The gopīs established an unexcelled standard of pure devotion for Lord Uttamaḥśloka.

  2. 2

    Their devotion is difficult even for great sages to attain.

  3. 3

    They brought to this world a standard of pure love of God previously unknown on earth. Uddhava congratulates them on this unparalleled contribution to religious life.

Key points from the purport
  • The term pravartitā indicates that the gopīs brought to this world a standard of pure love of God that was previously unknown on the earth.
  • Thus Uddhava congratulates them on their unparalleled contribution to the religious life.

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:

Uddhava explained, “While ordinary persons must perform many pious deeds to qualify as servants of Lord Kṛṣṇa, you simple cowherd girls are so extremely fortunate that the Lord has favored you with the very highest degree of pure devotion for Him.” Uddhava then related to them the Lord’s message.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhagavatifor the Supreme Lord
  2. uttamaḥ-ślokewho is glorified in sublime poetry
  3. bhavatībhiḥby your good selves
  4. anuttamāunexcelled
  5. bhaktiḥdevotion
  6. pravartītāestablished
  7. diṣṭyā(congratulations on your) good fortune
  8. munīnāmfor great sages
  9. apieven
  10. durlabhāhard to obtain
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: “devotion”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “love”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “religious”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Uddhava’s appreciation teach you to value in spiritual life?

Practice

Reread the verse and offer a brief prayer of appreciation for the gopīs’ example of pure devotion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Gopīs’ Unexcelled Gift of DevotionThis 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 10.47.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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