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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 75: Duryodhana Humiliated
10.75.1610.75.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.75.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.75.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

ता देवरानुत सखीन् सिषिचुर्द‍ृतीभि:

क्लिन्नाम्बरा विवृतगात्रकुचोरुमध्या: ।

औत्सुक्यमुक्तकवराच्च्यवमानमाल्या:

क्षोभं दधुर्मलधियां रुचिरैर्विहारै: ॥ १७ ॥

tā devarān uta sakhīn siṣicur dṛtībhiḥ

klinnāmbarā vivṛta-gātra-kucoru-madhyāḥ

autsukya-mukta-kavarāc cyavamāna-mālyāḥ

kṣobhaṁ dadhur mala-dhiyāṁ rucirair vihāraiḥ

Translation

As the queens squirted water from syringes at their brothers-in-law and other male companions, their own garments became drenched, revealing their arms, breasts, thighs and waists. In their excitement, the flowers fell from their loosened braids. By these charming pastimes they agitated those with contaminated consciousness.

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.

Consciousness Shapes Our Response

  1. 1

    The queens playfully squirted water at their brothers-in-law and other male companions, and their own garments became drenched.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such behavior between pure men and women is enjoyable.

  3. 3

    Those with materially contaminated consciousness became lustful. The verse draws attention to the condition of the observer’s consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “Such behavior between pure males and females is enjoyable, but persons who are materially contaminated become lustful.”

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 75: Duryodhana Humiliated

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Before the final bathing, there was much sporting in the river among the male and female participants. Sprinkled with aromatic water and other liquids, Draupadī and the other ladies appeared most beautiful, their faces shining with bashful laughter.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.75
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāḥthey, the queens
  2. devarāntheir husband’s brothers
  3. utaand also
  4. sakhīntheir friends
  5. siṣicuḥthey squirted
  6. dṛtībhiḥwith syringes
  7. klinnadrenched
  8. ambarāḥwhose dresses
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “lustful”, “materially”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “companions”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.75

    In this verse: “contaminated”

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 condition of my consciousness affect what I notice in others?

Practice

While reading this verse today, pause to examine your response and return your attention to its teaching about pure consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConsciousness Shapes Our ResponseThis 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 10.75.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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