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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 47: The Song of the Bee
10.47.4010.47.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.47.39inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कथं रतिविशेषज्ञ: प्रियश्च पुरयोषिताम् ।

नानुबध्येत तद्वाक्यैर्विभ्रमैश्चानुभाजित: ॥ ४१ ॥

kathaṁ rati-viśeṣa-jñaḥ

priyaś ca pura-yoṣitām

nānubadhyeta tad-vākyair

vibhramaiś cānubhājitaḥ

Translation

Śrī Kṛṣṇa is expert in all kinds of conjugal affairs and is the darling of the city women. How can He not become entangled, now that He’s constantly adored by their enchanting words and gestures?

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.

Concern for Kṛṣṇa Amid City Adoration

  1. 1

    The speaker describes Śrī Kṛṣṇa as expert in all kinds of conjugal affairs and the darling of the city women.

  2. 2

    She wonders how He could avoid becoming entangled when they constantly adore Him with enchanting words and gestures.

  3. 3

    According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, each of these verses is spoken by a different gopī.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, each of these verses is spoken by a different gopī.

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. kathamhow
  2. ratiof conjugal affairs
  3. viśeṣain all the specific aspects
  4. jñaḥthe expert
  5. priyaḥthe darling
  6. caand
  7. pura-yoṣitāmof the city women
  8. na anubadhyetawill not become bound
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What concern for Kṛṣṇa do you hear in this gopī’s question?

Practice

Read the verse slowly, noticing that it expresses a gopī’s question rather than a statement that Kṛṣṇa is entangled.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConcern for Kṛṣṇa Amid City AdorationThis 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 10.47.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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