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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
10.55.2510.55.27-28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.55.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.55.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अन्त:पुरवरं राजन् ललनाशतसङ्कुलम् ।

विवेश पत्न्‍या गगनाद् विद्युतेव बलाहक: ॥ २६ ॥

antaḥ-pura-varaṁ rājan

lalanā-śata-saṅkulam

viveśa patnyā gaganād

vidyuteva balāhakaḥ

Translation

O King, Lord Pradyumna and His wife resembled a cloud accompanied by lightning as they descended from the sky into the inner quarters of Kṛṣṇa’s most excellent palace, which were crowded with lovely women.

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.

A Cloud Accompanied by Lightning

  1. 1

    Lord Pradyumna and His wife descended together from the sky.

  2. 2

    They resembled a cloud accompanied by lightning.

  3. 3

    They entered the inner quarters of Kṛṣṇa’s most excellent palace, which were crowded with lovely women.

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:

When Pradyumna and His wife entered the inner chambers of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s palace, the many beautiful ladies there thought He was Kṛṣṇa Himself, so much did His appearance and dress resemble the Lord’s. Out of shyness the ladies ran here and there to hide themselves.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.55
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. antaḥ-purathe inner palace
  2. varammost excellent
  3. rājanO King (Parīkṣit)
  4. lalanālovely women
  5. śatawith hundreds
  6. saṅkulamcrowded
  7. viveśaHe entered
  8. patnyāwith His wife
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: “lovely”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.55

    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

How does the image of a cloud with lightning help you picture their arrival?

Practice

Pause over the cloud-and-lightning comparison, then reread the description of their entrance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Cloud Accompanied by LightningThis 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 10.55.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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