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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 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities
10.69.4510.70.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.70.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

श्रीशुक उवाच

अथोषस्युपवृत्तायां कुक्कुटान् कूजतोऽशपन् ।

गृहीतकण्ठ्य: पतिभिर्माधव्यो विरहातुरा: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

athoṣasy upavṛttāyāṁ

kukkuṭān kūjato ’śapan

gṛhīta-kaṇṭhyaḥ patibhir

mādhavyo virahāturāḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: As dawn approached, the wives of Lord Mādhava, each embraced around the neck by her husband, cursed the crowing roosters. The ladies were disturbed that now they would be separated from Him.

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.

Love That Dreads Separation

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa’s daily activities begin with the crowing of roosters as dawn approaches.

  2. 2

    His wives knew that He would dutifully rise and perform His prescribed morning rituals.

  3. 3

    Though still embraced by Him, they were distressed at their coming separation and cursed the roosters.

Key points from the purport
  • This description of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s daily activities starts with the crowing of the rooster.
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives knew that the Lord would dutifully get up and perform His prescribed morning rituals, and thus they were agitated at their coming separation from Him and cursed the roosters.

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

War and pride → Justice and protection. The public expression of divine power comes to the foreground.

Chapters 70–79 of Canto 10: Kingship, Jarāsandha and royal challenges. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 70: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Activities

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After executing the dawn rituals and other religious duties, He would offer oblations into the sacred fire, chant the Gāyatrī mantra, worship and pay tribute to the demigods, sages and forefathers, and offer respects to learned brāhmaṇas. Then He would touch auspicious substances, decorate Himself with celestial ornaments and gratify His subjects by giving them whatever they desired.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.70
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. athathen
  3. uṣasithe dawn
  4. upavṛttāyāmas it was approaching
  5. kukkuṭānthe roosters
  6. kūjataḥwho were crowing
  7. aśapancursed
  8. gṛhītabeing held
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “separated”, “separation”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “distressed”

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

What does the queens’ distress reveal about how deeply they valued Kṛṣṇa’s company?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute remembering Lord Kṛṣṇa and appreciating the queens’ love for Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove That Dreads SeparationThis 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 10.70.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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