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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 90: Summary of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Glories
10.90.1010.90.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.90.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.90.1-7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

कृष्णस्तु तत्स्तनविषज्जितकुङ्कुमस्रक्

क्रीडाभिषङ्गधुतकुन्तलवृन्दबन्ध: ।

सिञ्चन् मुहुर्युवतिभि: प्रतिषिच्यमानो

रेमे करेणुभिरिवेभपति: परीत: ॥ ११ ॥

kṛṣṇas tu tat-stana-viṣajjita-kuṅkuma-srak

krīḍābhiṣaṅga-dhuta-kuntala-vṛnda-bandhaḥ

siñcan muhur yuvatibhiḥ pratiṣicyamāno

reme kareṇubhir ivebha-patiḥ parītaḥ

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa’s flower garland would become smeared with kuṅkuma from their breasts, and His abundant locks of hair would become disheveled as a result of His absorption in the game. As the Lord repeatedly sprayed His young consorts and they sprayed Him in turn, He enjoyed Himself like the king of elephants enjoying in the company of his bevy of she-elephants.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Absorption in Loving Play

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa’s flower garland became smeared with kuṅkuma from His queens’ breasts.

  2. 2

    His abundant hair became disheveled through His absorption in the water games.

  3. 3

    He repeatedly sprayed His queens, and they sprayed Him in return. His enjoyment is compared to that of a king of elephants surrounded by his companions.

How it feels

Awe → Reverent fulfillment. The canto closes with theological wonder.

Chapters 87–90 of Canto 10: The Vedas praise and the Lord's glories conclude. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 90: Summary of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Glories

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed with His queens in the lakes of Dvārakā. It also relates the queens’ ecstatic prayers in the mood of intense separation from Him, and summarizes the Lord’s pastimes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.90
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
  2. tuand
  3. tattheir
  4. stanafrom the breasts
  5. viṣajjitabecoming attached
  6. kuṅkumathe kuṅkuma powder
  7. srakon whose flower garland
  8. krīḍāin the sport
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.90

    In this verse: “companions”

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 does Kṛṣṇa’s absorption in these games help you notice about His exchanges with His queens?

Practice

Spend a quiet moment recalling Kṛṣṇa’s joyful exchanges with His queens as described here.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Absorption in Loving PlayThis 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 10.90.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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