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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.56.34

Who is speaking and story frame

निशम्य देवकी देवी रक्‍मिण्यानकदुन्दुभि: ।

सुहृदो ज्ञातयोऽशोचन् बिलात् कृष्णमनिर्गतम् ॥ ३४ ॥

niśamya devakī devī

rakmiṇy ānakadundubhiḥ

suhṛdo jñātayo ’śocan

bilāt kṛṣṇam anirgatam

Translation

When Devakī, Rukmiṇī-devī, Vasudeva and the Lord’s other relatives and friends heard that He had not come out of the cave, they all lamented.

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.

The Lord’s Loved Ones Lament

  1. 1

    Devakī, Rukmiṇī-devī and Vasudeva heard that Kṛṣṇa had not come out of the cave.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s other relatives and friends also heard this troubling news.

  3. 3

    They all lamented. Their sorrow shows how dear Kṛṣṇa was to them.

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 56: The Syamantaka Jewel

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

All of Kṛṣṇa’s friends and family members became extremely sorrowful and began regularly worshiping Goddess Durgā to assure the Lord’s safe return. Even as they performed this worship, Lord Kṛṣṇa entered the city in the company of His new wife.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.56
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. niśamyahearing
  2. devakīDevakī
  3. devī rukmiṇīthe divine Rukmiṇī
  4. ānakadundubhiḥVasudeva
  5. suhṛdaḥfriends
  6. jñātayaḥrelatives
  7. aśocanthey lamented
  8. bilātfrom the cave
  9. kṛṣṇamKṛṣṇa
  10. anirgatamnot come out
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.56

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.56

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.56

    In this verse: “lamented”

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 can their concern teach me about holding Kṛṣṇa dear?

Practice

Read the translation slowly, pausing to reflect on how deeply the Lord’s loved ones cared for Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Loved Ones LamentThis 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 10.56.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.