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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
10.8.4210.8.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.8.43

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mother Yaśodāsince 10.8.40inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं विदिततत्त्वायां गोपिकायां स ईश्वर: ।

वैष्णवीं व्यतनोन्मायां पुत्रस्‍नेहमयीं विभु: ॥ ४३ ॥

itthaṁ vidita-tattvāyāṁ

gopikāyāṁ sa īśvaraḥ

vaiṣṇavīṁ vyatanon māyāṁ

putra-snehamayīṁ vibhuḥ

Translation

Mother Yaśodā, by the grace of the Lord, could understand the real truth. But then again, the supreme master, by the influence of the internal potency, Yoga-māyā, inspired her to become absorbed in intense maternal affection for her son.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Yoga-māyā Deepens Devotional Affection

  1. 1

    By the Lord’s grace, mother Yaśodā understood the truth. Then the supreme master’s internal potency, Yoga-māyā, absorbed her again in intense maternal affection.

  2. 2

    She thought that unless she cared for Kṛṣṇa, He could not be protected. Overwhelmed by this affection, she forgot her philosophical speculations.

  3. 3

    Materialistic persons are captivated by Mahā-māyā, whereas devotees are captivated by Yoga-māyā, the spiritual energy. Mother Yaśodā’s forgetfulness was inspired by this spiritual potency.

Key points from the purport
  • Although mother Yaśodā understood the whole philosophy of life, at the next moment she was overwhelmed by affection for her son by the influence of Yoga-māyā.
  • This forgetfulness is described by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura as being inspired by the influence of Yoga-māyā (mohana-sādharmyān māyām).
  • Materialistic persons are captivated by Mahā-māyā, whereas devotees, by the arrangement of the spiritual energy, are captivated by Yoga-māyā.

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:

Sometimes she assumed the position of a chastising mother, and at the next moment she was overwhelmed with maternal love. After describing all this to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, at Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s request, praised the fortune of mother Yaśodā and Nanda.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itthamin this way
  2. vidita-tattvāyāmwhen she understood the truth of everything philosophically
  3. gopikāyāmunto mother Yaśodā
  4. saḥthe Supreme Lord
  5. īśvaraḥthe supreme controller
  6. vaiṣṇavīmViṣṇu-māyā, or Yoga-māyā
  7. vyatanotexpanded
  8. māyāmYoga-māyā
  9. putra-sneha-mayīmvery much attached because of maternal affection for her son
  10. vibhuḥthe Supreme Lord
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”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “understand”, “philosophical”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 10.8

    In this verse: “grace”

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 distinction between Mahā-māyā and Yoga-māyā help you understand mother Yaśodā’s affection?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on mother Yaśodā’s desire to care for Kṛṣṇa as an expression of affection inspired by Yoga-māyā.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayYoga-māyā Deepens Devotional AffectionThis 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 10.8.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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