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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba
10.18.1910.18.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.20

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

तत्र चक्रु: परिवृढौ गोपा रामजनार्दनौ ।

कृष्णसङ्घट्टिन: केचिदासन् रामस्य चापरे ॥ २० ॥

tatra cakruḥ parivṛḍhau

gopā rāma-janārdanau

kṛṣṇa-saṅghaṭṭinaḥ kecid

āsan rāmasya cāpare

Translation

The cowherd boys chose Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as the leaders of the two parties. Some of the boys were on Kṛṣṇa’s side, and others joined Balarāma.

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.

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Lead the Teams

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys chose Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as the leaders of the two parties.

  2. 2

    Some of the boys joined Kṛṣṇa’s side.

  3. 3

    The other boys joined Balarāma’s side, forming the second party.

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:

Taking the role of leaders, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma divided the boys into two groups and determined that the losers would have to carry the winners on their shoulders. Thus when Śrīdāmā and Vṛṣabha, members of Balarāma’s party, were victorious, Kṛṣṇa and another boy in His party carried them on their shoulders.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatrain that game
  2. cakruḥthey made
  3. parivṛḍhauthe two leaders
  4. gopāḥthe cowherd boys
  5. rāma-janārdanauLord Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa
  6. kṛṣṇa-saṅghaṭṭinaḥmembers of Kṛṣṇa’s party
  7. kecitsome of them
  8. āsanbecame
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: “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 do you notice about the boys choosing Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as their leaders?

Practice

Read the verse slowly and picture the boys gathering into the two parties around Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa and Balarāma Lead the TeamsThis 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 10.18.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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