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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 18: Lord Balarāma Slays the Demon Pralamba
10.18.2010.18.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.21

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

आचेरुर्विविधा: क्रीडा वाह्यवाहकलक्षणा: ।

यत्रारोहन्ति जेतारो वहन्ति च पराजिता: ॥ २१ ॥

ācerur vividhāḥ krīḍā

vāhya-vāhaka-lakṣaṇāḥ

yatrārohanti jetāro

vahanti ca parājitāḥ

Translation

The boys played various games involving carriers and passengers. In these games the winners would climb up on the backs of the losers, who would have to carry them.

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.

Sharing the Roles of Play

  1. 1

    The boys played various games involving carriers and passengers.

  2. 2

    The winners climbed onto the losers’ backs, and the losers carried them.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī quotes a description of hariṇākrīḍanam, a childhood game in which boys paired off and simultaneously attacked their respective rivals.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī quotes the following relevant verse from the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (5.9.12):

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:

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. āceruḥthey performed
  2. vividhāḥvarious
  3. krīḍāḥsports
  4. vāhyaby the carried
  5. vāhakathe carrier
  6. lakṣaṇāḥcharacterized
  7. yatrain which
  8. ārohanticlimb
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “childhood”

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

How willingly do I accept both winning and losing in friendly play?

Practice

In one friendly activity today, accept your assigned role cheerfully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySharing the Roles of PlayThis 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 10.18.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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