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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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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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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.54.56

Who is speaking and story frame

सा वृष्णिपुर्युत्तम्भितेन्द्रकेतुभि-

र्विचित्रमाल्याम्बररत्नतोरणै: ।

बभौ प्रतिद्वार्युपक्लृप्तमङ्गलै-

रापूर्णकुम्भागुरुधूपदीपकै: ॥ ५६ ॥

sā vṛṣṇi-pury uttambhitendra-ketubhir

vicitra-mālyāmbara-ratna-toraṇaiḥ

babhau prati-dvāry upakḷpta-maṅgalair

āpūrṇa-kumbhāguru-dhūpa-dīpakaiḥ

Translation

The city of the Vṛṣṇis appeared most beautiful: there were tall, festive columns, and also archways decorated with flower garlands, cloth banners and precious gems. Arrangements of auspicious, full waterpots, aguru-scented incense, and lamps graced every doorway.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Beauty Prepared for the Wedding

  1. 1

    The city of the Vṛṣṇis appeared most beautiful with its tall, festive columns.

  2. 2

    Archways were decorated with flower garlands, cloth banners and precious gems.

  3. 3

    Every doorway was graced with auspicious, full waterpots, aguru-scented incense and lamps.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 54: The Marriage of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Since he had vowed not to return home without conquering Kṛṣṇa, Rukmī constructed a city on that very spot and took up residence there in a mood of undiminished anger. Lord Kṛṣṇa took Rukmiṇī to His capital, Dvārakā, and married her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.54
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāthat
  2. vṛṣṇi-purīcity of the Vṛṣṇis
  3. uttambhitaupraised
  4. indra-ketubhiḥwith festive columns
  5. vicitravariegated
  6. mālyahaving flower garlands
  7. ambaracloth banners
  8. ratnaand jewels
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 10.54

    In this verse: “graced”

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 can careful preparation express my wish to honor Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Neatly arrange one flower in the place where you remember Kṛṣṇa today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeauty Prepared for the WeddingThis 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 10.54.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.