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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 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva
10.5.15-1610.5.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.17

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

रोहिणी च महाभागा नन्दगोपाभिनन्दिता ।

व्यचरद् दिव्यवासस्रक्कण्ठाभरणभूषिता ॥ १७ ॥

rohiṇī ca mahā-bhāgā

nanda-gopābhinanditā

vyacarad divya-vāsa-srak-

kaṇṭhābharaṇa-bhūṣitā

Translation

The most fortunate Rohiṇī, the mother of Baladeva, was honored by Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, and thus she also dressed gorgeously and decorated herself with a necklace, a garland and other ornaments. She was busy wandering here and there to receive the women who were guests at the festival.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Good Fortune in Caring for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Rohiṇī and her son Baladeva were under Nanda Mahārāja’s care. She was unhappy because her husband, Vasudeva, was imprisoned by Kaṁsa.

  2. 2

    Nanda Mahārāja gave Rohiṇī beautiful garments and ornaments so that she could take part in the festival. Honored by him and Yaśodā, she busily received the women guests.

  3. 3

    Rohiṇī is called mahā-bhāgā, greatly fortunate, because she had the opportunity to raise Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma together.

Key points from the purport
  • Rohiṇī, another wife of Vasudeva’s, was also kept under the care of Nanda Mahārāja with her son Baladeva.
  • Because her husband was imprisoned by Kaṁsa, she was not very happy, but on the occasion of Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī, Nandotsava, when Nanda Mahārāja gave dresses and ornaments to others, he also gave gorgeous garments and ornaments to Rohiṇī so that she could take part in the festival.
  • Thus she also was busy receiving the women who were guests.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

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:

After the festival, Nanda Mahārāja put the cowherd men in charge of protecting Gokula, and then he went to Mathurā to pay official taxes to Kaṁsa. In Mathurā, Nanda Mahārāja met Vasudeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rohiṇīRohiṇī, the mother of Baladeva
  2. caalso
  3. mahā-bhāgāthe most fortunate mother of Baladeva (greatly fortunate because of having the opportunity to raise Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma together)
  4. nanda-gopā-abhinanditābeing honored by Mahārāja Nanda and mother Yaśodā
  5. vyacaratwas busy wandering here and there
  6. divyabeautiful
  7. vāsawith a dress
  8. srakwith a garland
  9. kaṇṭha-ābharaṇaand with an ornament covering the neck
  10. bhūṣitādecorated
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “nanda”, “mother”

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

What can Rohiṇī’s example teach you about the good fortune of serving even amid personal sorrow?

Practice

Help one person feel welcome today through a kind greeting and attentive care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGood Fortune in Caring for KṛṣṇaThis 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.

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