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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
10.18.1610.18.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.17

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

पशूंश्चारयतोर्गोपैस्तद्वने रामकृष्णयो: ।

गोपरूपी प्रलम्बोऽगादसुरस्तज्जिहीर्षया ॥ १७ ॥

paśūṁś cārayator gopais

tad-vane rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥ

gopa-rūpī pralambo ’gād

asuras taj-jihīrṣayā

Translation

While Rāma, Kṛṣṇa and Their cowherd friends were thus tending the cows in that Vṛndāvana forest, the demon Pralamba entered their midst. He had assumed the form of a cowherd boy with the intention of kidnapping Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Pralamba Enters in Disguise

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and Their cowherd friends were tending cows in the Vṛndāvana forest when Pralamba entered their midst.

  2. 2

    Pralamba assumed a cowherd boy’s form with the intention of kidnapping Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. The purport explains that he imitated a particular boy who had stayed home to perform duties.

  3. 3

    After describing the Lords acting like ordinary boys, Śukadeva Gosvāmī now introduces a transcendental pastime beyond the range of human activity.

Key points from the purport
  • Having described how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma acted just like ordinary boys, Śukadeva Gosvāmī will now reveal one of the Lord’s transcendental pastimes that is beyond the range of human activity.
  • According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the demon Pralamba disguised himself as a particular cowherd boy who on that day had remained at home with duties to perform.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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. paśūnthe animals
  2. cārayatoḥwhile the two of Them were herding
  3. gopaiḥalong with the cowherd boys
  4. tat-vanein that forest, Vṛndāvana
  5. rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥLord Rāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa
  6. gopa-rūpīassuming the form of a cowherd boy
  7. pralambaḥPralamba
  8. agātcame
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 10.18

    In this verse: “friends”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “duties”

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

Why is it important not to mistake the Lords’ ordinary-looking play for merely human activity?

Practice

Reread the purport’s contrast between ordinary-looking play and a transcendental pastime.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPralamba Enters in DisguiseThis 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 10.18.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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