1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.30

Who is speaking and story frame

द‍ृष्ट्वा प्रलम्बं निहतं बलेन बलशालिना ।

गोपा: सुविस्मिता आसन्साधु साध्विति वादिन: ॥ ३० ॥

dṛṣṭvā pralambaṁ nihataṁ

balena bala-śālinā

gopāḥ su-vismitā āsan

sādhu sādhv iti vādinaḥ

Translation

The cowherd boys were most astonished to see how the powerful Balarāma had killed the demon Pralamba, and they exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent!”

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 Boys Praise Powerful Balarāma

  1. 1

    The cowherd boys saw that powerful Balarāma had killed Pralamba.

  2. 2

    They were most astonished by what they had witnessed.

  3. 3

    They expressed their admiration by exclaiming, “Excellent! Excellent!”

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:

The demon repeatedly vomited blood and then fell upon the ground. When the cowherd boys saw Lord Balarāma return, they joyfully embraced and congratulated Him as the demigods showered garlands of flowers from the heavens and glorified Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  2. pralambamPralambāsura
  3. nihatamkilled
  4. balenaby Lord Balarāma
  5. bala-śālināwho is by nature very powerful
  6. gopāḥthe cowherd boys
  7. su-vismitāḥmost astonished
  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

How do the cowherd boys express their wonder at Balarāma’s power?

Practice

Read the boys’ words aloud once, pausing to appreciate Balarāma’s strength.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Boys Praise Powerful BalarāmaThis 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 10.18.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.