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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
10.18.3110.19.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.18.32

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

पापे प्रलम्बे निहते देवा: परमनिर्वृता: ।

अभ्यवर्षन् बलं माल्यै: शशंसु: साधु साध्विति ॥ ३२ ॥

pāpe pralambe nihate

devāḥ parama-nirvṛtāḥ

abhyavarṣan balaṁ mālyaiḥ

śaśaṁsuḥ sādhu sādhv iti

Translation

The sinful Pralamba having been killed, the demigods felt extremely happy, and they showered flower garlands upon Lord Balarāma and praised the excellence of His deed.

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.

The Demigods Joyfully Praise Lord Balarāma

  1. 1

    The sinful Pralamba had been killed. The demigods felt extremely happy.

  2. 2

    The demigods showered flower garlands upon Lord Balarāma. They expressed their happiness by honoring Him.

  3. 3

    They praised the excellence of Lord Balarāma’s deed. Their joyful response centered on glorifying Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C.
  • Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Eighteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Balarāma Slays the 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:

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. pāpethe sinful
  2. pralambePralambāsura
  3. nihatebeing killed
  4. devāḥthe demigods
  5. paramaextremely
  6. nirvṛtāḥsatisfied
  7. abhyavarṣanshowered
  8. balamLord Balarāma
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 10.18

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “glorifying”

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 can I learn from the demigods’ joy in honoring Lord Balarāma?

Practice

Today, spend a quiet moment praising Lord Balarāma for His deed described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Demigods Joyfully Praise Lord 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 10.18.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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