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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 65: Lord Balarāma Visits Vṛndāvana
10.65.2010.65.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.65.21

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

उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्वनिताशोभिमण्डले ।

रेमे करेणुयूथेशो माहेन्द्र इव वारण: ॥ २१ ॥

upagīyamāno gandharvair

vanitā-śobhi-maṇḍale

reme kareṇu-yūtheśo

māhendra iva vāraṇaḥ

Translation

As the Gandharvas sang His glories, Lord Balarāma enjoyed within the brilliant circle of young women. He appeared just like Indra’s elephant, the lordly Airāvata, enjoying in the company of she-elephants.

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 Gandharvas Sing Balarāma’s Glories

  1. 1

    The Gandharvas sing Lord Balarāma’s glories while He enjoys with His companions.

  2. 2

    The young women form a brilliant circle around Him.

  3. 3

    His appearance is compared to Indra’s lordly elephant Airāvata enjoying among she-elephants.

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:

The demigods who witnessed these pastimes played kettledrums in the heavens and showered down flower petals, while the celestial sages recited Balarāma’s glories. One day Lord Balarāma became intoxicated by drinking some vāruṇī liquor and began wandering about the forest in the company of the gopīs.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.65
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. upagīyamānaḥbeing praised in song
  2. gandharvaiḥby Gandharvas
  3. vanitāby young women
  4. śobhibeautified
  5. maṇḍalein the circle
  6. remeHe enjoyed
  7. kareṇuof she-elephants
  8. yūthaof a herd
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 10.65

    In this verse: “companions”

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 Gandharvas’ singing direct your attention toward Balarāma’s glories?

Practice

Offer one short sentence of praise to Lord Balarāma today.

Live this todayThe Gandharvas Sing Balarāma’s GloriesThis 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 10.65.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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