1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.70.1910.70.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.70.20

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

मृदङ्गवीणामुरजवेणुतालदरस्वनै: ।

ननृतुर्जगुस्तुष्टुवुश्च सूतमागधवन्दिन: ॥ २० ॥

mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-muraja-

veṇu-tāla-dara-svanaiḥ

nanṛtur jagus tuṣṭuvuś ca

sūta-māgadha-vandinaḥ

Translation

These performers would dance and sing to the sounds of mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, murajas, flutes, cymbals and conchshells, while professional poets, chroniclers and panegyrists would recite the Lord’s glories.

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.

Music and Words Glorify the Lord

  1. 1

    The performers danced and sang to the sounds of musical instruments.

  2. 2

    The instruments included mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, murajas, flutes, cymbals and conchshells.

  3. 3

    Professional poets, chroniclers and panegyrists—those who offered praise—recited the Lord’s glories.

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:

Bards would recite His praises to the accompaniment of drums, cymbals, vīṇās and other instruments. On one occasion, the doorkeepers escorted a messenger into the assembly hall.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.70
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mṛdaṅgaof mṛdaṅga drums
  2. vīṇāvīṇās
  3. murajaand of murajas, another kind of drum
  4. veṇuof flutes
  5. tālacymbals
  6. daraand conchshells
  7. svanaiḥwith the sounds
  8. nanṛtuḥthey danced
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.70

    In this verse: “recite”, “recited”

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 my words or singing become an offering of praise to the Lord?

Practice

Speak or sing one sentence praising the Lord, drawing its words from this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMusic and Words Glorify the LordThis 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 10.70.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories