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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva
10.5.1110.5.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.5.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ता आशिष: प्रयुञ्जानाश्चिरं पाहीति बालके ।

हरिद्राचूर्णतैलाद्भ‍ि: सिञ्चन्त्योऽजनमुज्जगु: ॥ १२ ॥

tā āśiṣaḥ prayuñjānāś

ciraṁ pāhīti bālake

haridrā-cūrṇa-tailādbhiḥ

siñcantyo ’janam ujjaguḥ

Translation

Offering blessings to the newborn child, Kṛṣṇa, the wives and daughters of the cowherd men said, “May You become the King of Vraja and long maintain all its inhabitants.” They sprinkled a mixture of turmeric powder, oil and water upon the birthless Supreme Lord and offered their prayers.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Prayers to the Birthless Lord

  1. 1

    The wives and daughters of the cowherd men offered blessings to the newborn child, Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    They prayed that He would become the King of Vraja and maintain its inhabitants for a long time.

  3. 3

    They sprinkled turmeric powder mixed with oil and water upon Him and offered prayers. Though appearing as a newborn child, He is the birthless Supreme Lord.

How it feels

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Therefore the King of Vraja, Mahārāja Nanda, wanted to perform the birth ceremony for his child, and this he did. During this great festival, Nanda Mahārāja gave in charity to all present whatever they desired.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāḥall the women, the wives and daughters of the cowherd men
  2. āśiṣaḥblessings
  3. prayuñjānāḥoffering
  4. ciramfor a long time
  5. pāhimay You become the King of Vraja and maintain all its inhabitants
  6. itithus
  7. bālakeunto the newborn child
  8. haridrā-cūrṇapowder of turmeric
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “blessings”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “child”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “king”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that this newborn child is the birthless Supreme Lord deepen your appreciation of these prayers?

Practice

Offer a short prayer to Kṛṣṇa today, remembering His care for the inhabitants of Vraja.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Prayers to the Birthless LordThis 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 10.5.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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