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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
10.47.3310.47.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.34

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.47.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यत्त्वहं भवतीनां वै दूरे वर्ते प्रियो द‍ृशाम् ।

मनस: सन्निकर्षार्थं मदनुध्यानकाम्यया ॥ ३४ ॥

yat tv ahaṁ bhavatīnāṁ vai

dūre varte priyo dṛśām

manasaḥ sannikarṣārthaṁ

mad-anudhyāna-kāmyayā

Translation

But the actual reason why I, the beloved object of your sight, have stayed far away from you is that I wanted to intensify your meditation upon Me and thus draw your minds closer to Me.

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.

Separation Can Deepen Remembrance of Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa explains that His distance from the gopīs has a loving purpose. He wants to intensify their meditation upon Him.

  2. 2

    What is close to the eyes may be far from the heart and mind. Absence can make affection stronger.

  3. 3

    Although Kṛṣṇa apparently went far away, He was bringing the gopīs closer to Himself on the spiritual platform.

Key points from the purport
  • Sometimes that which is close to our eyes is far from our heart and mind, and conversely absence makes the heart grow fonder.
  • Although apparently going far away from the gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa was bringing them closer to Him on the spiritual platform.

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:

After all, when a woman’s beloved is far away, she fixes her mind upon him constantly. By incessantly remembering Me, you are sure to regain My association without delay.’”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatthe fact that
  2. tuhowever
  3. ahamI
  4. bhavatīnāmfrom your
  5. vaiindeed
  6. dūrefar away
  7. varteam situated
  8. priyaḥwho am dear
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “absence”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you give remembrance of Kṛṣṇa more attention when you feel distant from Him?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute today meditating on Kṛṣṇa rather than dwelling on a feeling of distance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeparation Can Deepen Remembrance of KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.47.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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