Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.47.25
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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bhagavati uttamaḥ-śloke
—
for the Supreme Lord, glorified by the best poetry
The chapter's recurring name returns from Uddhava's own mouth. He uses the same epithet the gopī used at verse 13 — but now without irony. The word that was a complaint is now a confession.
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anuttamā bhaktiḥ
—
unexcelled devotion
Compound: an (not) + uttamā (higher) + bhaktiḥ. Bhakti above which there is none higher. Rūpa Gosvāmī takes this verse as scriptural warrant for placing mādhurya at the apex of the rasa-hierarchy.
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diṣṭyā
—
by good fortune
Instrumental of diṣṭi (fate, fortune). The whole verse begins with diṣṭyā — 'how fortunate!' Uddhava is congratulating them, but Gauḍīyas read it as theological: the gopīs' bhakti is itself the highest fortune, distinct from any karma's reward.
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munīnām
—
hard to obtain even for sages
Compound: munīnām (of sages) + durlabhā (hard to attain). Even the muni cannot reach it — the gopīs' love is post-jñāna, post-yoga. Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu cites this for the distinction between jñāna-miśra-bhakti and śuddha-bhakti.
The term pravartitā indicates that the gopīs brought to this world a standard of pure love of God that was previously unknown on the earth. Thus Uddhava congratulates them on their unparalleled contribution to the religious life.
"Your bhakti is very different from other types This is the supreme form of bhakti (anuttama), which has not existed before. However, following after your ragatmika bhakti, raganuga bhakti will be spread as a practice in the future. This is for the good fortune of the people in general (distya)."
Your bhakti consisting of mahābhāva is nitya-siddha. How can one praise it enough? However it should be praised as auspicious for all people by teaching it to them. The highest bhakti, mahā- prema for Kṛṣṇa who reveals all his powers (bhagavati), and therefore most praised (uttama-śloke), has been spread (pravartitā) to people by the power of seeing and hearing you. It will be said in verse 26 “You have rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love for the Lord.” vikrīḍitaṁ vraja-vadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ śraddhānvito ’nuśṛṇuyād atha varṇayed yaḥ bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati pratilabhya kāmaṁ hṛd-rogam āśv apahinoty acireṇa dhīraḥ Anyone who faithfully and continually hears or describes the Lord’s playful affairs with the young gopīs of Vṛndāvana will attain the highest type of prema to the Lord, quickly destroy lust, the disease of the heart, and immediately become steady. SB 10.33.39 This prema has appeared by good fortune (diṣṭyā).
But you have preached to the people by your conduct incomparable bhakti called prema to the Lord, who manifests all his powers and who is most worthy of praise. This has produced good fortune (diṣṭyā). It gives the highest benefit to whole world. It is not easily attainable by all persons. It is rare even for sages like Sanaka. Bhakti is the highest result. Therefore Kṛṣṇa will automatically be controlled.
- Whose example in your life has raised the ceiling on devotion for you?
- Where could you aspire higher than your current comfort allows?
Uddhava names it: an unprecedented bhakti has been set in motion in Vraja — even sages cannot reach it. He is reporting back to himself as much as to them. The diplomat has begun to suspect he has come to learn, not to teach.
My note
Source: vedabase.io