Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.44.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Exchange of Powerful Blows
“They each struck fists against fists, knees against knees, head against head and chest against chest.”
What the purport teaches
- The opponents struck fists against fists and knees against knees.
- They also struck head against head and chest against chest.
- The purport explains that aratni may mean elbow as well as fist. Thus elbow blows were perhaps also used, as in various martial arts today.
Try this today
Read the purport again, noticing the careful words “may” and “perhaps.”
Ask yourself
How does the purport distinguish a possible meaning from a definite statement?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
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.