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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
10.47.710.47.9-10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.8

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.47.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

खगा वीतफलं वृक्षं भुक्त्वा चातिथयो गृहम् ।

दग्धं मृगास्तथारण्यं जारा भुक्त्वा रतां स्‍त्रियम् ॥ ८ ॥

khagā vīta-phalaṁ vṛkṣaṁ

bhuktvā cātithayo gṛham

dagdhaṁ mṛgās tathāraṇyaṁ

jārā bhuktvā ratāṁ striyam

Translation

Birds abandon a tree when its fruits are gone, guests a house after they have eaten, animals a forest that has burnt down, and a lover the woman he has enjoyed, even though she remains attached to him.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

Leaving After One’s Needs Are Met

  1. 1

    Birds abandon a tree when its fruits are gone, and guests leave a house after eating.

  2. 2

    Animals abandon a forest that has burned down.

  3. 3

    A lover leaves the woman he has enjoyed even though she remains attached to him. This final example highlights affection that is not returned.

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:

The gopīs then began to remember the pastimes they had enjoyed with Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and putting aside all ordinary propriety and shyness, they loudly wept. One gopī, while deeply meditating on Her association with Kṛṣṇa, noticed a bumblebee before Her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. khagāḥbirds
  2. vītarid
  3. phalamof its fruits
  4. vṛkṣama tree
  5. bhuktvāhaving eaten
  6. caand
  7. atithayaḥguests
  8. gṛhama house
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “lover”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I be more considerate toward someone whose care for me continues?

Practice

Acknowledge one person’s care today with a thoughtful word rather than taking it for granted.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLeaving After One’s Needs Are MetThis 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 10.47.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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