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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
10.18.3010.18.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.31

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

आशिषोऽभिगृणन्तस्तं प्रशशंसुस्तदर्हणम् ।

प्रेत्यागतमिवालिङ्‌‌ग्य प्रेमविह्वलचेतस: ॥ ३१ ॥

āśiṣo ’bhigṛṇantas taṁ

praśaśaṁsus tad-arhaṇam

pretyāgatam ivāliṅgya

prema-vihvala-cetasaḥ

Translation

They offered Balarāma profuse benedictions and then glorified Him, who deserves all glorification. Their minds overwhelmed with ecstatic love, they embraced Him as if He had come back from the dead.

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.

Loving Praise for Balarāma

  1. 1

    They offered Balarāma profuse benedictions and glorified Him. He deserves all glorification.

  2. 2

    Their minds were overwhelmed with ecstatic love. Their praise was an expression of this love.

  3. 3

    They embraced Balarāma as if He had come back from the dead. This comparison conveys the depth of their loving joy.

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. āśiṣaḥbenedictions
  2. abhigṛṇantaḥoffering profusely
  3. tamto Him
  4. praśaśaṁsuḥthey praised
  5. tat-arhaṇamHim who was worthy of such
  6. pretyahaving died
  7. āgatamcome back
  8. ivaas if
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstatic”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “glorified”

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 can their loving praise inspire the way I glorify Balarāma?

Practice

Today, read this translation slowly and offer Balarāma a few sincere words of praise.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Praise for 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 10.18.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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