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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
10.90.1110.90.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.90.12

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

नटानां नर्तकीनां च गीतवाद्योपजीविनाम् ।

क्रीडालङ्कारवासांसि कृष्णोऽदात्तस्य च स्‍त्रिय: ॥ १२ ॥

naṭānāṁ nartakīnāṁ ca

gīta-vādyopajīvinām

krīḍālaṅkāra-vāsāṁsi

kṛṣṇo ’dāt tasya ca striyaḥ

Translation

Afterward, Lord Kṛṣṇa and His wives would give the ornaments and clothing they had worn during their water sports to the male and female performers, who earned their livelihood from singing and from playing instrumental music.

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 and His Queens Reward Performers

  1. 1

    After the water sports, Kṛṣṇa and His wives gave gifts to the performers.

  2. 2

    They gave the ornaments and clothing they had worn during their play.

  3. 3

    Both male and female performers received these gifts. They earned their livelihood through singing and instrumental music.

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:

He would enjoy sporting with His wives in the ponds on the palace grounds, squirting water on them with a syringe and being squirted in turn. With His graceful gestures, loving words and sidelong glances, He would enchant their hearts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.90
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. naṭānāmto the male performers
  2. nartakīnāmthe female performers
  3. caand
  4. gītaby singing
  5. vādyaand playing musical instruments
  6. upajīvināmwho earned their livelihoods
  7. krīḍāfrom His sports
  8. alaṅkārathe ornaments
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

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 can this act of giving deepen your appreciation for those whose work brings music to others?

Practice

Offer a small gift or practical support to someone whose singing or music you appreciate.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa and His Queens Reward PerformersThis 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 10.90.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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