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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 5: The Meeting of Nanda Mahārāja and Vasudeva
10.5.710.5.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.5.8

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

महार्हवस्त्राभरणकञ्चुकोष्णीषभूषिता: ।

गोपा: समाययू राजन् नानोपायनपाणय: ॥ ८ ॥

mahārha-vastrābharaṇa-

kañcukoṣṇīṣa-bhūṣitāḥ

gopāḥ samāyayū rājan

nānopāyana-pāṇayaḥ

Translation

O King Parīkṣit, the cowherd men dressed very opulently with valuable ornaments and garments such as coats and turbans. Decorated in this way and carrying various presentations in their hands, they approached the house of Nanda Mahārāja.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Prosperity Through Agriculture and Cow Protection

  1. 1

    The cowherd men wore valuable garments, ornaments, coats, and turbans. They approached Nanda Mahārāja’s house carrying gifts.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that village agriculturalists were prosperous through agricultural produce and cow protection.

  3. 3

    Neglecting agriculture and giving up cow protection brought suffering. The purport warns that atrocious activities called ugra-karma destroy the opportunity of human civilization.

Key points from the purport
  • When we consider the past condition of the agriculturalist in the village, we can see how opulent he was, simply because of agricultural produce and protection of cows.
  • At the present, however, agriculture having been neglected and cow protection given up, the agriculturalist is suffering pitiably and is dressed in a niggardly torn cloth.
  • By the atrocious activities of ugra-karma, how we are killing the opportunity of human civilization!

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:

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. mahā-arhaextremely valuable
  2. vastra-ābharaṇawith garments and ornaments
  3. kañcukaby a particular type of garment used in Vṛndāvana
  4. uṣṇīṣawith turbans
  5. bhūṣitāḥbeing nicely dressed
  6. gopāḥall the cowherd men
  7. samāyayuḥcame there
  8. rājanO King (Mahārāja Parīkṣit)
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”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.5

    In this verse: “king”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protection”

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 this verse challenge my understanding of prosperity?

Practice

At one meal today, pause to appreciate the agricultural work that supplied your food.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProsperity Through Agriculture and Cow ProtectionThis 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 10.5.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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