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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.24.10

Who is speaking and story frame

उद्यानानि चातितरां मनइन्द्रियानन्दिभि: कुसुमफलस्तबकसुभगकिसलयावनतरुचिरविटपविटपिनां लताङ्गालिङ्गितानां श्रीभि: समिथुनविविधविहङ्गमजलाशयानाममलजलपूर्णानां झषकुलोल्लङ्घनक्षुभितनीरनीरजकुमुदकुवलयकह्लारनीलोत्पल लोहितशतपत्रादिवनेषुकृतनिकेतनानामेकविहाराकुलमधुरविविधस्वनादिभिरिन्द्रि-योत्सवैरमरलोकश्रियमतिशयितानि ॥ १० ॥

udyānāni cātitarāṁ mana-indriyānandibhiḥ kusuma-phala-stabaka-subhaga-kisalayāvanata-rucira-viṭapa-viṭapināṁ latāṅgāliṅgitānāṁ śrībhiḥ samithuna-vividha-vihaṅgama-jalāśayānām amala-jala-pūrṇānāṁ jhaṣakulollaṅghana-kṣubhita-nīra-nīraja-kumuda-kuva-laya-kahlāra-nīlotpala-lohita-śatapatrādi-vaneṣu kṛta-niketanānām eka-vihārākula-madhura-vividha-svanādibhir indriyotsavair amara-loka-śriyam atiśayitāni.

Translation

The parks and gardens in the artificial heavens surpass in beauty those of the upper heavenly planets. The trees in those gardens, embraced by creepers, bend with a heavy burden of twigs with fruits and flowers, and therefore they appear extraordinarily beautiful. That beauty could attract anyone and make his mind fully blossom in the pleasure of sense gratification. There are many lakes and reservoirs with clear, transparent water, agitated by jumping fish and decorated with many flowers such as lilies, kuvalayas, kahlāras and blue and red lotuses. Pairs of cakravākas and many other water birds nest in the lakes and always enjoy in a happy mood, making sweet, pleasing vibrations that are very satisfying and conducive to enjoyment of the senses.

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.

Extraordinary Beauty Attracts the Senses

  1. 1

    The gardens of these artificial heavens surpass those of the upper heavenly planets in beauty. Creepers embrace trees whose branches bend under fruits and flowers.

  2. 2

    Clear lakes and reservoirs are stirred by jumping fish and decorated with lilies, kuvalayas, kahlāras, and blue and red lotuses.

  3. 3

    Pairs of cakravākas and other water birds make sweet, pleasing sounds. The sights and sounds attract the mind and encourage enjoyment of the senses.

How it feels

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Demons and Rakṣasas live in these lower planetary systems with their wives and children, always engaged in sense gratification and not fearing their next births. The sunshine does not reach these planets, but they are illuminated by jewels fixed upon the hoods of snakes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. udyānānithe gardens and parks
  2. caalso
  3. atitarāmgreatly
  4. manaḥto the mind
  5. indriyaand to the senses
  6. ānandibhiḥwhich cause pleasure
  7. kusumaby flowers
  8. phalaof fruits
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 do beautiful sights and pleasing sounds draw my mind toward sense enjoyment?

Practice

When you encounter a beautiful sight or pleasing sound today, pause and notice how it attracts your mind.

Live this todayExtraordinary Beauty Attracts the SensesThis 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 5.24.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.