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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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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
10.8.3310.8.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.8.34

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

कस्मान्मृदमदान्तात्मन् भवान्भक्षितवान्‌ रह: ।

वदन्ति तावका ह्येते कुमारास्तेऽग्रजोऽप्ययम् ॥ ३४ ॥

kasmān mṛdam adāntātman

bhavān bhakṣitavān rahaḥ

vadanti tāvakā hy ete

kumārās te ’grajo ’py ayam

Translation

Dear Kṛṣṇa, why are You so restless that You have eaten dirt in a solitary place? This complaint has been lodged against You by all Your playmates, including Your elder brother, Balarāma. How is this?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Mother’s Question, Kṛṣṇa’s Reply

  1. 1

    Mother Yaśodā asked why Kṛṣṇa had eaten dirt in a solitary place. All His playmates, including His elder brother Balarāma, had complained.

  2. 2

    She was agitated by His restless misbehavior. Her house was full of sweetmeats, so why should He eat dirt?

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa replied that His friends had plotted together so that she would punish Him. He denied the complaint and asked her to believe Him and not chastise Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Mother Yaśodā was agitated by Kṛṣṇa’s restless misbehavior.
  • Why then should the restless boy eat dirt in a solitary place?
  • Kṛṣṇa replied, “My dear mother, they have plotted together and lodged a complaint against Me so that you will punish Me.

Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

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:

The most wonderful of these occurred when Kṛṣṇa’s playmates complained to mother Yaśodā that Kṛṣṇa was eating earth. Mother Yaśodā wanted to open Kṛṣṇa’s mouth to see the evidence so that she could chastise Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kasmātwhy
  2. mṛdamdirt
  3. adānta-ātmanYou restless boy
  4. bhavānYou
  5. bhakṣitavānhave eaten
  6. rahaḥin a solitary place
  7. vadantiare lodging this complaint
  8. tāvakāḥYour friends and playmates
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”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “sweetmeats”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “friends”

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 stands out to you in this exchange between Kṛṣṇa and His mother?

Practice

Read mother Yaśodā’s question and Kṛṣṇa’s reply slowly, attending to their affectionate exchange.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Mother’s Question, Kṛṣṇa’s ReplyThis 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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