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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 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba
10.18.1210.18.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.18.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

क्‍वचिन्नृत्यत्सु चान्येषु गायकौ वादकौ स्वयम् ।

शशंसतुर्महाराज साधु साध्विति वादिनौ ॥ १३ ॥

kvacin nṛtyatsu cānyeṣu

gāyakau vādakau svayam

śaśaṁsatur mahā-rāja

sādhu sādhv iti vādinau

Translation

While the other boys were dancing, O King, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would sometimes accompany them with song and instrumental music, and sometimes the two Lords would praise the boys, saying, “Very good! Very good!”

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 Lords Encourage Their Friends

  1. 1

    The other cowherd boys sometimes danced.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Themselves accompanied the dancing with singing and instrumental music.

  3. 3

    The two Lords also praised the boys, saying, “Very good! Very good!”

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 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One day they were intently dancing, singing and playing when a demon named Pralamba entered their midst, disguised as a cowherd boy. The omniscient Lord Kṛṣṇa saw through the disguise, but even as He thought of how to kill the demon, He treated him as a friend.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kvacitsometimes
  2. nṛtyatsuwhile they were dancing
  3. caand
  4. anyeṣuothers
  5. gāyakauthe two of Them (Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma) singing
  6. vādakauboth playing musical instruments
  7. svayamThemselves
  8. śaśaṁsatuḥThey praised
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

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 touches you about Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma praising Their friends?

Practice

Offer someone a sincere word of encouragement today, remembering the Lords’ praise of the boys.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lords Encourage Their FriendsThis 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 10.18.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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