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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
10.47.2610.47.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.27

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

सर्वात्मभावोऽधिकृतो भवतीनामधोक्षजे ।

विरहेण महाभागा महान्मेऽनुग्रह: कृत: ॥ २७ ॥

sarvātma-bhāvo ’dhikṛto

bhavatīnām adhokṣaje

viraheṇa mahā-bhāgā

mahān me ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ

Translation

You have rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love for the transcendental Lord, O most glorious gopīs. Indeed, by exhibiting your love for Kṛṣṇa in separation from Him, you have shown me great mercy.

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.

Love in Separation Bestows Mercy

  1. 1

    Uddhava sees the gopīs’ wholehearted love for the transcendental Lord as great mercy shown to him.

  2. 2

    By revealing the joy of love of Godhead, the gopīs bestowed mercy not only on Uddhava but on the whole world.

  3. 3

    Their loving devotion brought the Supreme Lord under their control. He apparently left to reveal the intensity of their love, yet became spiritually present through their intense devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • The gopīs showed not only Uddhava but the whole world the joy of love of Godhead, and thus they bestowed their mercy on everyone.
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, because their loving devotion was executed in an appropriate way, their love brought the Supreme Lord under their control.
  • Still, to show the intensity of their love, He apparently left them.

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:

Very satisfied at seeing the extent of the gopīs’ love for the Lord, he declared, “These cowherd girls have perfected their lives by coming to the platform of unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, even Lord Brahmā is inferior to them.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarva-ātmawholehearted
  2. bhāvaḥlove
  3. adhikṛtaḥclaimed by right
  4. bhavatīnāmby you
  5. adhokṣajefor the transcendental Lord
  6. viraheṇathrough this mood of separation
  7. mahā-bhāgāḥO most glorious ones
  8. mahāngreat
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “separation”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does hearing about the gopīs’ love encourage your own devotional service?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting gratefully on the gopīs’ love and how their example can deepen your desire to serve Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove in Separation Bestows MercyThis 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 10.47.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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