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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 · Texts 10.65.4-6

Who is speaking and story frame

गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: ।

यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥

समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: ।

विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥

पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा ।

कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥

gopa-vṛddhāṁś ca vidhi-vad

yaviṣṭhair abhivanditaḥ

yathā-vayo yathā-sakhyaṁ

yathā-sambandham ātmanaḥ

samupetyātha gopālān

hāsya-hasta-grahādibhiḥ

viśrāntam sukham āsīnaṁ

papracchuḥ paryupāgatāḥ

pṛṣṭāś cānāmayaṁ sveṣu

prema-gadgadayā girā

kṛṣṇe kamala-patrākṣe

sannyastākhila-rādhasaḥ

Translation

Lord Balarāma then paid proper respects to the elder cowherd men, and the younger ones all greeted Him respectfully. He met them all with smiles, handshakes and so on, dealing personally with each one according to age, degree of friendship, and family relationship. Then, after resting, the Lord accepted a comfortable seat, and they all gathered around Him. With voices faltering out of love for Him, those cowherds, who had dedicated everything to lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, asked about the health of their dear ones [in Dvārakā], and Balarāma in turn asked about the cowherds’ welfare.

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.

Personal Care Within Devoted Relationships

  1. 1

    Balarāma respected the elder cowherds, and the younger ones respectfully greeted Him. He dealt personally with each according to age, friendship and family relationship.

  2. 2

    He greeted them with smiles, handshakes and other affectionate gestures. After He rested, they gathered around His comfortable seat.

  3. 3

    The cowherds had dedicated everything to lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, and their voices faltered with love. They asked about their dear ones’ health, while Balarāma asked about their welfare.

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:

Lord Balarāma offered appropriate respects and greetings to each of His worshipable elders according to age, friendship and family relation. After Gokula’s residents and Lord Balarāma had inquired about each other’s welfare, the Lord rested from His journey.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.65
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gopaof the cowherds
  2. vṛddhānthe elders
  3. caand
  4. vidhi-vatin accordance with Vedic injunctions
  5. yaviṣṭhaiḥby those who were younger
  6. abhivanditaḥrespectfully greeted
  7. yathā-vayaḥaccording to age
  8. yathā-sakhyamaccording to friendship
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: “friendship”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.65

    In this verse: “love”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.65

    In this verse: “welfare”

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 can your concern for others become more personal and attentive?

Practice

Ask one person how they are doing and listen carefully to their answer.

Live this todayPersonal Care Within Devoted RelationshipsThis 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 10.65.4-6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.