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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 ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī
10.61.410.61.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.61.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.61.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं रमापतिमवाप्य पतिं स्‍त्रियस्ता

ब्रह्मादयोऽपि न विदु: पदवीं यदीयाम् ।

भेजुर्मुदाविरतमेधितयानुराग-

हासावलोकनवसङ्गमलालसाद्यम् ॥ ५ ॥

itthaṁ ramā-patim avāpya patiṁ striyas tā

brahmādayo ’pi na viduḥ padavīṁ yadīyām

bhejur mudāviratam edhitayānurāga-

hāsāvaloka-nava-saṅgama-lālasādyam

Translation

Thus these women obtained as their husband the master of the goddess of fortune, although even great demigods like Brahmā do not know how to approach Him. With ever-increasing pleasure, they felt loving attraction for Him, exchanged smiling glances with Him, eagerly anticipated associating with Him in ever-fresh intimacy and enjoyed in many other ways.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Ever-Increasing Love for the Lord

  1. 1

    The queens obtained as their husband the master of the goddess of fortune, whom even Brahmā and other great demigods do not know how to approach.

  2. 2

    Their pleasure and loving attraction increased continually as they exchanged smiling glances with Him.

  3. 3

    They eagerly anticipated ever-fresh intimate association with Kṛṣṇa. The purport describes their intense conjugal attraction for Him.

Key points from the purport
  • This text describes the intense conjugal attraction the queens felt for Lord Kṛṣṇa.

The purport'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

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 61: Lord Balarāma Slays Rukmī

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Having attained as their husband Lord Kṛṣṇa, whom even demigods like Brahmā find it difficult to know in truth, the Lord’s queens were always eager to associate with Him. Thus, although each of them had hundreds of maidservants, they would personally render Him menial service.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.61
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itthamin this manner
  2. ramā-patimthe Lord of the goddess of fortune
  3. avāpyaobtaining
  4. patimas their husband
  5. striyaḥthe women
  6. tāḥthey
  7. brahma-ādayaḥLord Brahmā and other demigods
  8. apieven
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

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

Which words in this verse most clearly express the queens’ eagerness to associate with Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read the verse once more, giving special attention to the queens’ ever-increasing loving attraction.

Live this todayEver-Increasing Love for the LordThis 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 10.61.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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