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

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon
10.15.2210.15.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.15.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd boyssince 10.15.21inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

सोऽतिवीर्योऽसुरो राम हे कृष्ण खररूपधृक् ।

आत्मतुल्यबलैरन्यैर्ज्ञातिभिर्बहुभिर्वृत: ॥ २३ ॥

so ’ti-vīryo ’suro rāma

he kṛṣṇa khara-rūpa-dhṛk

ātma-tulya-balair anyair

jñātibhir bahubhir vṛtaḥ

Translation

O Rāma, O Kṛṣṇa! Dhenuka is a most powerful demon and has assumed the form of an ass. He is surrounded by many friends who have assumed a similar shape and who are just as powerful as he.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

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.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Boys Describe Dhenuka’s Strength

  1. 1

    The boys address Rāma and Kṛṣṇa as they describe the danger posed by Dhenuka.

  2. 2

    Dhenuka is a most powerful demon who has assumed the form of an ass.

  3. 3

    Many companions surround him. They have similar forms and are just as powerful as he.

How it feels

Peril and pride → Friendship and humility. Divinity is revealed amid intimate childhood play.

Chapters 12–19 of Canto 10: Childhood dangers and Brahmā's amazement. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 15: The Killing of Dhenuka, the Ass Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

During this play, Śrīdāmā, Subala, Stoka-kṛṣṇa and other cowherd boys described to Rāma and Kṛṣṇa a wicked and irrepressible demon named Dhenuka, who had assumed the form of a jackass and was living in the Tālavana forest near Govardhana Hill. This forest was full of many varieties of sweet fruits.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe
  2. ati-vīryaḥvery powerful
  3. asuraḥa demon
  4. rāmaO Rāma
  5. he kṛṣṇaO Kṛṣṇa
  6. khara-rūpathe form of an ass
  7. dhṛkassuming
  8. ātma-tulyaequal to himself
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “friends”, “companions”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.15

    In this verse: “danger”

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

What stands out to you about the danger the boys describe to Rāma and Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Read the boys’ words aloud once, noticing how directly they address Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Boys Describe Dhenuka’s StrengthThis 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 10.15.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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