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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 62: The Meeting of Ūṣā and Aniruddha
10.62.1110.62.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.62.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bāṇāsurasince 10.62.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

बाणस्य मन्त्री कुम्भाण्डश्चित्रलेखा च तत्सुता ।

सख्यपृच्छत् सखीमूषां कौतूहलसमन्विता ॥ १२ ॥

bāṇasya mantrī kumbhāṇḍaś

citralekhā ca tat-sutā

sakhy apṛcchat sakhīm ūṣāṁ

kautūhala-samanvitā

Translation

Bāṇāsura had a minister named Kumbhāṇḍa, whose daughter was Citralekhā. A companion of Ūṣā’s, she was filled with curiosity, and thus she inquired from her friend.

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.

Citralekhā Inquires From Her Friend

  1. 1

    Bāṇāsura had a minister named Kumbhāṇḍa.

  2. 2

    Kumbhāṇḍa’s daughter, Citralekhā, was a companion of Ūṣā.

  3. 3

    Filled with curiosity, Citralekhā asked her friend about what had happened.

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 62: The Meeting of Ūṣā and Aniruddha

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Ūṣā’s companion Citralekhā asked her who she had been addressing, and Ūṣā told her everything. Hearing of Ūṣā’s dreamlover, Citralekhā tried to relieve her friend’s distress by drawing pictures of Gandharvas and other celestial personalities, as well as various men of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.62
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bāṇasyaof Bāṇa
  2. mantrīthe minister
  3. kumbhāṇḍaḥKumbhāṇḍa
  4. Citralekhācitralekhā
  5. caand
  6. tathis
  7. sutādaughter
  8. sakhīthe girlfriend
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.62

    In this verse: “friend”, “companion”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.62

    In this verse: “inquired”

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

Do you take time to ask a friend about what they are experiencing?

Practice

Ask a friend one gentle question about how they are feeling, and listen to the answer.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCitralekhā Inquires From Her FriendThis 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 10.62.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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