Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.4
तत्र वै वार्षितान् मासानवात्सीत् स्वार्थसाधक: ।
पौरै: सभाजितोऽभीक्ष्णं रामेणाजानता च स: ॥ ४ ॥
tatra vai vārṣitān māsān
[tatra vai vaarshitaan maasaan]
avātsīt svārtha-sādhakaḥ
[avaatseet svaartha-saadhakah]
pauraiḥ sabhājito ’bhīkṣṇaṁ
[pauraih sabhaajito ’bheekshnam]
rāmeṇājānatā ca saḥ
[raamenaajaanataa cha sah]
Word-for-word
tatra
—
there
vai
—
indeed
vārṣikān
—
of the rainy season
māsān
—
for the months
avātsīt
—
he resided
sva
—
his own
artha
—
purpose
sādhakaḥ
—
trying to achieve
pauraiḥ
—
by the people of the city
sabhājitaḥ
—
honored
abhīkṣṇam
—
constantly
rāmeṇa
—
by Lord Balarāma
ajānatā
—
who was unaware
ca
—
and
saḥ
—
he .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tatra vai vārṣitān māsān
tatra
there
vai
indeed
vārṣikān
of the rainy season
māsān
for the months
avātsīt svārtha-sādhakaḥ
avātsīt
he resided
sva
his own
artha
purpose
sādhakaḥ
trying to achieve
pauraiḥ sabhājito ’bhīkṣṇaṁ
pauraiḥ
by the people of the city
sabhājitaḥ
honored
abhīkṣṇam
constantly
rāmeṇājānatā ca saḥ
rāmeṇa
by Lord Balarāma
ajānatā
who was unaware
ca
and
saḥ
he .
Important Words
-
vārṣikān
—
of the rainy season
From varṣa (rain). Cāturmāsya — the four months when sannyāsīs traditionally do not travel. The cosmic schedule provides the cover; the līlā uses dharma's own clock to bring devotees together.
-
sva-artha-sādhakaḥ
—
trying to achieve his own purpose
Compound: sva (own) + artha (purpose) + sādhakaḥ (one accomplishing). Bhāgavata-kavi names Arjuna's purpose 'sva-artha' without irony — because his sva-artha is woven into Kṛṣṇa's saṅkalpa, it is legitimate, even sacred.
-
rāmeṇa
—
by Lord Balarāma
Instrumental of Rāma — here Balarāma. Gauḍīyas mark how Balarāma honors Arjuna without recognition: the disguise works because Balarāma operates in the mood of guru-bhāva toward sādhus, not investigative scrutiny.
-
ajānatā
—
who was unaware
Present participle of √jñā with negative. The all-knowing Balarāma chooses not to know — this is yogamāyā, the līlā-śakti that veils omniscience so the story may unfold. Bhagavān's not-knowing is volitional, not deficient.
He stayed there during the monsoon months to fulfill his purpose. Lord Balarāma and the other residents of the city, not recognizing him, offered him all honor and hospitality.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
He stayed there during the monsoon months to fulfill his purpose. Lord Balarāma and the other residents of the city, not recognizing him, offered him all honor and hospitality.
Śrīdhara Svāmī
Gauḍīya
Commentary
He lived in Dvārakā for the monsoon months, since a sannyāsī should reside on one place during that time. Balarāma did not recognize him, by the will of Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise it would mean he was not omniscient.
Related values & verses
Related values
Nishkama Karma (Selfless Action)Adambhitva (Non-hypocrisy / Authenticity)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)Tejas (Inner Radiance / Vigour)Discriminative Wisdom
Related verses
Personal Guidance
Arjuna stays through the monsoons for a purpose. Patience to wait through unpromising seasons is part of mature spiritual planning; he doesn't force the moment.
Reflection Questions
- What outcome am I rushing that needs me to stay through a monsoon first?
- Where could waiting through difficulty actually be the action?
Analogy
The monsoon keeps the wandering yogi in one place — the rains are Kṛṣṇa's own way of arranging that Arjuna stay until Subhadrā appears. Even the weather is Kṛṣṇa's confidant in this saṅkalpa.
My note
Source: vedabase.io