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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
10.18.2610.18.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.27

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

निरीक्ष्य तद्वपुरलमम्बरे चरत्

प्रदीप्तद‍ृग् भ्रुकुटितटोग्रदंष्ट्रकम् ।

ज्वलच्छिखं कटककिरीटकुण्डल-

त्विषाद्भ‍ुतं हलधर ईषदत्रसत् ॥ २७ ॥

nirīkṣya tad-vapur alam ambare carat

pradīpta-dṛg bhru-kuṭi-taṭogra-daṁṣṭrakam

jvalac-chikhaṁ kaṭaka-kirīṭa-kuṇḍala-

tviṣādbhutaṁ haladhara īṣad atrasat

Translation

When Lord Balarāma, who carries the plow weapon, saw the gigantic body of the demon as he moved swiftly in the sky — with his blazing eyes, fiery hair, terrible teeth reaching toward his scowling brows, and an amazing effulgence generated by his armlets, crown and earrings — the Lord seemed to become a little frightened.

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.

Balarāma’s Fear Is a Pastime

  1. 1

    Seeing the demon’s gigantic body, blazing eyes, fiery hair and terrible teeth, Balarāma appeared slightly frightened. He was playfully maintaining the role of an ordinary cowherd boy.

  2. 2

    Because Kṛṣṇa had accepted the disguised demon as a friend, Balarāma was slightly apprehensive about killing him. He could also have been concerned that another disguised demon might be attacking Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that Balarāma is the omniscient and omnipotent Supreme Lord. His slight nervousness was an exhibited pastime, not a lack of divine power.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī explains Lord Baladeva’s so-called fear as follows: Balarāma was playfully acting out the role of an ordinary cowherd boy, and to maintain the mood of this pastime He appeared slightly disturbed by the horrible demoniac body.
  • Balarāma could also have been worried that since this cowherd boy was actually a demon in disguise, at that very moment another such demon might have been attacking Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself.
  • Thus the omniscient and omnipotent Supreme Lord Balarāma exhibited the pastime of becoming slightly nervous in the presence of the horrible demon Pralamba.

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:

When Balarāma saw this terrible form, He struck the demon a ferocious blow on the head with His fist. This blow shattered Pralambāsura’s head just as lightning bolts hurled by the king of the demigods shatter mountains.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nirīkṣyaseeing
  2. tatof Pralambāsura
  3. vapuḥthe body
  4. alamquickly
  5. ambarein the sky
  6. caratmoving
  7. pradīptablazing
  8. dṛkhis eyes
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: “friend”

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 does the purport change my understanding of Balarāma’s apparent fear?

Practice

Reread the words “seemed to become a little frightened,” remembering the purport’s explanation of His playful role.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBalarāma’s Fear Is a PastimeThis 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 10.18.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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