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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 9: Mother Yaśodā Binds Lord Kṛṣṇa
10.9.2110.9.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.9.22

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.9.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृष्णस्तु गृहकृत्येषु व्यग्रायां मातरि प्रभु: ।

अद्राक्षीदर्जुनौ पूर्वं गुह्यकौ धनदात्मजौ ॥ २२ ॥

kṛṣṇas tu gṛha-kṛtyeṣu

vyagrāyāṁ mātari prabhuḥ

adrākṣīd arjunau pūrvaṁ

guhyakau dhanadātmajau

Translation

While mother Yaśodā was very busy with household affairs, the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, observed twin trees known as yamala-arjuna, which in a former millennium had been the demigod sons of Kuvera.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Observes the Twin Trees

  1. 1

    Mother Yaśodā was very busy with household affairs. Meanwhile, Kṛṣṇa observed the twin trees.

  2. 2

    The trees were known as yamala-arjuna. In a former millennium, they had been the demigod sons of Kuvera.

  3. 3

    The translation identifies Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Lord. He is the one observing these trees while His mother attends to her duties.

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 9: Mother Yaśodā Binds Lord Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

After mother Yaśodā bound Kṛṣṇa and became engaged in other household affairs, Kṛṣṇa observed two yamala-arjuna trees, which were actually Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, two sons of Kuvera who had been condemned by Nārada Muni to become trees. Kṛṣṇa, by His mercy, now began to proceed toward the trees to fulfill the desire of Nārada Muni.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇaḥ tuin the meantime
  2. gṛha-kṛtyeṣuin engagement in household affairs
  3. vyagrāyāmvery busy
  4. mātariwhen His mother
  5. prabhuḥthe Lord
  6. adrākṣītobserved
  7. arjunauthe twin arjuna trees
  8. pūrvambefore Him
  9. guhyakauwhich in a former millennium had been demigods
  10. dhanada-ātmajauthe sons of Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods
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 10.9

    In this verse: “yaśodā”, “mother”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.9

    In this verse: “household”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.9

    In this verse: “duties”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What do I notice about Kṛṣṇa and mother Yaśodā in this brief scene?

Practice

Reread this scene once, remembering that the child observing the trees is the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Observes the Twin TreesThis 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 10.9.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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