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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 65: Lord Balarāma Visits Vṛndāvana
10.65.11-1210.65.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.65.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.65.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कथं नु गृह्णन्त्यनवस्थितात्मनो

वच: कृतघ्नस्य बुधा: पुरस्‍त्रिय: ।

गृह्णन्ति वै चित्रकथस्य सुन्दर-

स्मितावलोकोच्छ्वसितस्मरातुरा: ॥ १३ ॥

kathaṁ nu gṛhṇanty anavasthitātmano

vacaḥ kṛta-ghnasya budhāḥ pura-striyaḥ

gṛhṇanti vai citra-kathasya sundara-

smitāvalokocchvasita-smarāturāḥ

Translation

“How can intelligent city women possibly trust the words of one whose heart is so unsteady and who is so ungrateful? They must believe Him because He speaks so wonderfully, and also because His beautiful smiling glances arouse their lust.

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.

The Gopīs Question Kṛṣṇa’s Captivating Words

  1. 1

    Some gopīs asked how intelligent city women could trust Kṛṣṇa’s words, describing His heart as unsteady and calling Him ungrateful.

  2. 2

    Others replied that the women believed Him because He spoke so wonderfully and His beautiful smiling glances aroused their lust.

  3. 3

    Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the first two lines are spoken by some gopīs, while other gopīs answer in the second two lines.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, some gopīs speak the first two lines of this verse, and others reply in the second two lines.

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 65: Lord Balarāma Visits Vṛndāvana

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

How could we help but put our faith in Kṛṣṇa’s words after seeing His sweetly smiling face and thus being overwhelmed by the urges of Cupid? Still, if Kṛṣṇa can spend His days in separation from us, why can’t we tolerate separation from Him?
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.65
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kathamhow
  2. nuindeed
  3. gṛhṇantido they accept
  4. anavasthitaunsteady
  5. ātmanaḥof Him whose heart
  6. vacaḥthe words
  7. kṛta-ghnasyawho is ungrateful
  8. budhāḥintelligent
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.65

    In this verse: “lust”

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 recognizing the different speakers help you follow this exchange?

Practice

Read the verse as a question and reply, pausing between the two groups of speakers.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 10.65's connections

Live this todayThe Gopīs Question Kṛṣṇa’s Captivating WordsThis 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 10.65.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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