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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 55: The History of Pradyumna
10.55.1010.55.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.55.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.55.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तामह भगवान् कार्ष्णिर्मातस्ते मतिरन्यथा ।

मातृभावमतिक्रम्य वर्तसे कामिनी यथा ॥ ११ ॥

tām aha bhagavān kārṣṇir

mātas te matir anyathā

mātṛ-bhāvam atikramya

vartase kāminī yathā

Translation

Lord Pradyumna told her, “O mother, your attitude has changed. You are overstepping the proper feelings of a mother and behaving like a lover.”

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.

Pradyumna Questions Māyāvatī’s Changed Attitude

  1. 1

    Lord Pradyumna addressed Māyāvatī as “O mother.”

  2. 2

    He told her that her attitude had changed.

  3. 3

    He described her behavior as overstepping a mother’s proper feelings and becoming like that of a lover.

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 55: The History of Pradyumna

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Addressing her as His mother, Pradyumna commented that she was putting aside her proper maternal mood and behaving like a passionate girlfriend. Rati then told Pradyumna who they both were.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.55
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmto her
  2. āhasaid
  3. bhagavānthe Lord
  4. kārṣṇiḥPradyumna
  5. mātaḥO mother
  6. teyour
  7. matiḥattitude
  8. anyathāotherwise
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.55

    In this verse: “lover”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.55

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.55

    In this verse: “māyāvatī”

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 Pradyumna’s address “O mother” show about the relationship He was questioning?

Practice

Reread Pradyumna’s words and identify the two kinds of affection He distinguishes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPradyumna Questions Māyāvatī’s Changed AttitudeThis 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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