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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
10.5.1810.5.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.5.19inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गोपान् गोकुलरक्षायां निरूप्य मथुरां गत: ।

नन्द: कंसस्य वार्षिक्यं करं दातुं कुरूद्वह ॥ १९ ॥

gopān gokula-rakṣāyāṁ

nirūpya mathurāṁ gataḥ

nandaḥ kaṁsasya vārṣikyaṁ

karaṁ dātuṁ kurūdvaha

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, my dear King Parīkṣit, O best protector of the Kuru dynasty, Nanda Mahārāja appointed the local cowherd men to protect Gokula and then went to Mathurā to pay the yearly taxes to King Kaṁsa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nanda’s Loving Concern for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Because the killing of babies had become known, Nanda Mahārāja feared for his newborn child. Before leaving, he appointed local cowherd men to protect his home and child.

  2. 2

    He went to Mathurā to pay the yearly taxes to Kaṁsa. He also wanted to offer a gift so that Kaṁsa would be satisfied.

  3. 3

    Nanda Mahārāja had worshiped demigods and forefathers and given charity for the child’s protection. His only concern was how to protect his transcendental child, Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • Because the killing of babies was going on and had already become known, Nanda Mahārāja was very much afraid for his newborn child.
  • Thus he appointed the local cowherd men to protect his home and child.
  • Similarly, Nanda Mahārāja wanted not only to pay Kaṁsa the yearly taxes but also to offer some presentation so that Kaṁsa too would be satisfied.

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. gopānthe cowherd men
  2. gokula-rakṣāyāmin giving protection to the state of Gokula
  3. nirūpyaafter appointing
  4. mathurāmto Mathurā
  5. gataḥwent
  6. nandaḥNanda Mahārāja
  7. kaṁsasyaof Kaṁsa
  8. vārṣikyamyearly taxes
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: “nanda”, “child”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “protector”, “protect”

  • 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

What stands out to you about the practical care expressed in Nanda Mahārāja’s love for Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Before leaving a responsibility today, make one clear arrangement for the care of someone who depends on you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNanda’s Loving Concern 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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