Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLaṅkā Is Shaken by the Monkey Army
“After entering Laṅkā, the monkey soldiers, led by chiefs like Sugrīva, Nīla and Hanumān, occupied all the sporting houses, granaries, treasuries, palace doorways, city gates, assembly houses, palace frontages and even the resting houses of the pigeons. When the city’s crossroads, platforms, flags and golden waterpots on its domes were all destroyed, the entire city of Laṅkā appeared like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.”
What the purport teaches
- The monkey soldiers were led by chiefs such as Sugrīva, Nīla and Hanumān.
- They occupied Laṅkā’s sporting houses, granaries, treasuries, gates and assembly houses. Even the pigeons’ resting houses were occupied.
- The city’s crossroads, platforms, flags and golden waterpots were destroyed. Laṅkā appeared like a river disturbed by a herd of elephants.
Try this today
Read the translation slowly once, noticing how its final comparison brings the scene to life.
Ask yourself
How does the image of a disturbed river help you picture the scene?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.