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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 8: Lord Kṛṣṇa Shows the Universal Form Within His Mouth
10.8.4910.8.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.8.50

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Droṇa and Dharāsince 10.8.49inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अस्त्वित्युक्त: स भगवान्व्रजे द्रोणो महायशा: ।

जज्ञे नन्द इति ख्यातो यशोदा सा धराभवत् ॥ ५० ॥

astv ity uktaḥ sa bhagavān

vraje droṇo mahā-yaśāḥ

jajñe nanda iti khyāto

yaśodā sā dharābhavat

Translation

When Brahmā said, “Yes, let it be so,” the most fortune Droṇa, who was equal to Bhagavān, appeared in Vrajapura, Vṛndāvana, as the most famous Nanda Mahārāja, and his wife, Dharā, appeared as mother Yaśodā.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Eternal Parents Appear First

  1. 1

    With Brahmā’s agreement, Droṇa appeared in Vṛndāvana as Nanda Mahārāja, and Dharā appeared as mother Yaśodā.

  2. 2

    As Kṛṣṇa’s eternal father and mother, they appeared before Him. When Kṛṣṇa appears on earth, He superficially needs parents.

  3. 3

    Unlike Sutapā and Pṛśni, they did not undergo severe penances and austerities to become His parents. The purport uses this distinction to explain nitya-siddha and sādhana-siddha.

Key points from the purport
  • Because whenever Kṛṣṇa appears on this earth He superficially needs a father and mother, Droṇa and Dharā, His eternal father and mother, appeared on earth before Kṛṣṇa as Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā.
  • In contrast to Sutapā and Pṛśni, they did not undergo severe penances and austerities to become the father and mother of Kṛṣṇa.
  • This is the difference between nitya-siddha and sādhana-siddha.

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:

After describing all this to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, at Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s request, praised the fortune of mother Yaśodā and Nanda. Nanda and Yaśodā were formerly Droṇa and Dharā, and by the order of Brahmā they came to this earth and had the Supreme Personality of Godhead as their son.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. astuwhen Brahmā agreed, “Yes, it is all right”
  2. iti uktaḥthus being ordered by him
  3. saḥhe (Droṇa)
  4. bhagavāneternally the father of Kṛṣṇa (Bhagavān’s father is also Bhagavān)
  5. vrajein Vrajabhūmi, Vṛndāvana
  6. droṇaḥDroṇa, the most powerful Vasu
  7. mahā-yaśāḥthe very famous transcendentalist
  8. jajñeappeared
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”, “nanda”, “mother”

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 knowing that Nanda and Yaśodā are Kṛṣṇa’s eternal parents deepen your appreciation of their service?

Practice

Write one sentence recalling why Nanda and Yaśodā appeared before Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Eternal Parents Appear FirstThis 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 10.8.50? Get an answer from the verses themselves.