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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
10.47.5610.47.58

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.57

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.47.53inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द‍ृष्ट्वैवमादि गोपीनां कृष्णावेशात्मविक्लवम् ।

उद्धव: परमप्रीतस्ता नमस्यन्निदं जगौ ॥ ५७ ॥

dṛṣṭvaivam-ādi gopīnāṁ

kṛṣṇāveśātma-viklavam

uddhavaḥ parama-prītas

tā namasyann idaṁ jagau

Translation

Thus seeing how the gopīs were always disturbed because of their total absorption in Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava was supremely pleased. Desiring to offer them all respect, he sang as follows.

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.

Honor Love Beyond Outward Position

  1. 1

    The gopīs’ mental disturbance is not ordinary material distress. Uddhava is supremely pleased because they have attained the highest state of loving ecstasy.

  2. 2

    Although Uddhava is an important minister in Dvārakā, he feels moved to offer obeisances to these apparently ordinary cowherd girls.

  3. 3

    He sings to express his respect for their total absorption in Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī says he sings these verses daily in Vṛndāvana.

Key points from the purport
  • It is clearly stated that Uddhava was supremely pleased, and he felt this way because he saw that the gopīs had attained the highest state of loving ecstasy.
  • Thus, to explain his feelings he sang the following verses.
  • Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī states that Uddhava sang these verses daily while he was in Vṛndāvana.

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. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  2. evamsuch
  3. ādiand more
  4. gopīnāmof the gopīs
  5. kṛṣṇa-āveśatheir total absorption in thought of Kṛṣṇa
  6. ātmaconsisting of
  7. viklavamthe mental agitation
  8. uddhavaḥUddhava
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: “ecstasy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “distress”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do outward position and prestige ever distract you from appreciating devotion?

Practice

Take a moment to honor someone’s sincere devotion without considering their social position.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Love Beyond Outward PositionThis 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 10.47.57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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