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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
10.47.810.47.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 10.47.9-10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The gopīssince 10.47.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इति गोप्यो हि गोविन्दे गतवाक्‍कायमानसा: ।

कृष्णदूते समायाते उद्धवे त्यक्तलौकिका: ॥ ९ ॥

गायन्त्य: प्रियकर्माणि रुदन्त्यश्च गतह्रिय: ।

तस्य संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य यानि कैशोरबाल्ययो: ॥ १० ॥

iti gopyo hi govinde

gata-vāk-kāya-mānasāḥ

kṛṣṇa-dūte samāyāte

uddhave tyakta-laukikāḥ

gāyantyaḥ prīya-karmāṇi

rudantyaś ca gata-hriyaḥ

tasya saṁsmṛtya saṁsmṛtya

yāni kaiśora-bālyayoḥ

Translation

Thus speaking, the gopīs, whose words, bodies and minds were fully dedicated to Lord Govinda, put aside all their regular work now that Kṛṣṇa’s messenger, Śrī Uddhava, had arrived among them. Constantly remembering the activities their beloved Kṛṣṇa had performed in His childhood and youth, they sang about them and cried without shame.

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.

Words, Bodies and Minds for Govinda

  1. 1

    The gopīs’ words, bodies and minds were fully dedicated to Lord Govinda. When Uddhava arrived, they put aside their regular work.

  2. 2

    They repeatedly remembered Kṛṣṇa’s childhood and youthful activities, singing about them and crying openly.

  3. 3

    Since childhood, the gopīs had been completely in love with Kṛṣṇa. They forgot the social customs that discouraged revealing their love and wept before His messenger.

Key points from the purport
  • The word bālyayoḥ here indicates that ever since their childhood, the gopīs had been completely in love with Kṛṣṇa.
  • Thus even though social custom dictated that they not reveal their love to others, they forgot all external considerations and openly wept before Kṛṣṇa’s messenger, Uddhava.

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:

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. itithus
  2. gopyaḥthe gopīs
  3. hiindeed
  4. govindeon Govinda
  5. gatafocusing
  6. vāktheir speech
  7. kāyabodies
  8. mānasaḥand minds
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “cried”, “crying”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “childhood”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my words, actions and thoughts become more dedicated to Lord Govinda?

Practice

Set aside a brief, quiet moment to read this translation aloud and remember the gopīs’ dedication to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWords, Bodies and Minds for GovindaThis 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 10.47.9-10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.