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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
10.65.810.65.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.65.9

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

गोप्यो हसन्त्य: पप्रच्छू रामसन्दर्शनाद‍ृता: ।

कच्चिदास्ते सुखं कृष्ण: पुरस्‍त्रीजनवल्ल‍भ: ॥ ९ ॥

gopyo hasantyaḥ papracchū

rāma-sandarśanādṛtāḥ

kaccid āste sukhaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ

pura-strī-jana-vallabhaḥ

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Honored to have the personal audience of Lord Balarāma, the young gopīs smiled and asked Him, “Is Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, living happily?

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.

Balarāma Honors the Gopīs’ Great Love

  1. 1

    The young gopīs smiled and asked Balarāma whether Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, was living happily.

  2. 2

    The ācāryas explain that their smiles arose from divine madness. They were feeling extreme unhappiness in separation from their beloved Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Balarāma deeply respected their great love for His younger brother. The verse indicates both that the gopīs honored Balarāma and that He honored them.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the ācāryas, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s beloved girlfriends were smiling with divine madness, since they were feeling extreme unhappiness in separation from their beloved Kṛṣṇa.
  • Lord Rāma deeply respected their great love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, His younger brother, and thus the term rāma-sandarśanādṛtāḥ carries the meaning that Balarāma honored the gopīs, as well as the given meaning, that they honored Him.

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:

In a short while the young gopīs came to Lord Balarāma and questioned Him about Kṛṣṇa’s well-being. They asked, “Does Kṛṣṇa still remember His parents and friends, and will He be coming to Gokula to visit them?
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.65
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gopyaḥthe young cowherd girls
  2. hasantyaḥsmiling
  3. papracchuḥasked
  4. rāmaof Lord Balarāma
  5. sandarśanaby the personal audience
  6. ādṛtāḥhonored
  7. kaccitwhether
  8. āsteis living
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “love”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.65

    In this verse: “separation”

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 Balarāma’s respect help you appreciate the gopīs’ love for Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Reread the gopīs’ question slowly, remembering that their smiles concealed deep sorrow.

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 todayBalarāma Honors the Gopīs’ Great LoveThis 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 10.65.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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