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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 8: Lord Kṛṣṇa Shows the Universal Form Within His Mouth
10.8.3210.8.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.8.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.8.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सा गृहीत्वा करे कृष्णमुपालभ्य हितैषिणी ।

यशोदा भयसम्भ्रान्तप्रेक्षणाक्षमभाषत ॥ ३३ ॥

sā gṛhītvā kare kṛṣṇam

upālabhya hitaiṣiṇī

yaśodā bhaya-sambhrānta-

prekṣaṇākṣam abhāṣata

Translation

Upon hearing this from Kṛṣṇa’s playmates, mother Yaśodā, who was always full of anxiety over Kṛṣṇa’s welfare, picked Kṛṣṇa up with her hands to look into His mouth and chastise Him. Her eyes fearful, she spoke to her son as follows.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Yaśodā’s Concern for Kṛṣṇa’s Welfare

  1. 1

    Mother Yaśodā listened to the complaint from Kṛṣṇa’s playmates.

  2. 2

    Always anxious for Kṛṣṇa’s welfare, she picked Him up to look into His mouth and chastise Him.

  3. 3

    Her eyes were fearful as she spoke to her son. Her response showed her deep concern for Him.

How it feels

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 8: Lord Kṛṣṇa Shows the Universal Form Within His Mouth

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Mother Yaśodā wanted to open Kṛṣṇa’s mouth to see the evidence so that she could chastise Him. Sometimes she assumed the position of a chastising mother, and at the next moment she was overwhelmed with maternal love.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāmother Yaśodā
  2. gṛhītvātaking
  3. karewithin the hands (being anxious about what Kṛṣṇa might have eaten)
  4. kṛṣṇamKṛṣṇa
  5. upālabhyawanted to chastise Him
  6. hita-eṣiṇībecause she was anxious for the welfare of Kṛṣṇa, she became very much agitated, thinking, “How is it that Kṛṣṇa has eaten earth?”
  7. yaśodāmother Yaśodā
  8. bhaya-sambhrānta-prekṣaṇa-akṣambegan to look very carefully within Kṛṣṇa’s mouth in fear, to see if Kṛṣṇa had eaten something dangerous
  9. abhāṣatabegan to address Kṛṣṇa
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “mother”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 10.8

    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

What do mother Yaśodā’s actions reveal about her concern for Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on mother Yaśodā holding Kṛṣṇa and anxiously looking into His mouth.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayYaśodā’s Concern for Kṛṣṇa’s WelfareThis 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.

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