1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva
10.5.1-210.5.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.3

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

धेनूनां नियुते प्रादाद् विप्रेभ्य: समलङ्कृते ।

तिलाद्रीन्सप्त रत्नौघशातकौम्भाम्बरावृतान् ॥ ३ ॥

dhenūnāṁ niyute prādād

viprebhyaḥ samalaṅkṛte

tilādrīn sapta ratnaugha-

śātakaumbhāmbarāvṛtān

Translation

Nanda Mahārāja gave two million cows, completely decorated with cloth and jewels, in charity to the brāhmaṇas. He also gave them seven hills of grain, covered with jewels and with cloth decorated with golden embroidery.

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.

Celebrating Through Generous Giving

  1. 1

    Nanda Mahārāja gave two million cows in charity to the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    The cows were completely decorated with cloth and jewels.

  3. 3

    He also gave seven hills of grain, covered with jewels and cloth decorated with golden embroidery.

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:

During this great festival, Nanda Mahārāja gave in charity to all present whatever they desired. 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.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dhenūnāmof milk-giving cows
  2. niyutetwo million
  3. prādātgave in charity
  4. viprebhyaḥunto the brāhmaṇas
  5. samalaṅkṛtecompletely decorated
  6. tila-adrīnhills of grain
  7. saptaseven
  8. ratna-ogha-śāta-kaumbha-ambara-āvṛtāncovered with jewels and cloth embroidered with gold
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”

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 does the care taken with these gifts teach me about generosity?

Practice

Give a small gift of food today, presenting it cleanly and thoughtfully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCelebrating Through Generous GivingThis 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 10.5.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories