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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 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa
10.26.1010.26.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.26.11

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The cowherd mensince 10.26.2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रलम्बं घातयित्वोग्रं बलेन बलशालिना । अमोचयद् व्रजपशून्गोपांश्चारण्यवह्नित: ॥ ११ ॥

pralambaṁ ghātayitvograṁ

balena bala-śālinā

amocayad vraja-paśūn

gopāṁś cāraṇya-vahnitaḥ

Translation

After arranging for the mighty Lord Balarāma to kill the terrible demon Pralamba, Kṛṣṇa saved Vraja’s cowherd boys and their animals from a forest fire.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Saves the Boys and Animals

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa arranged for the mighty Lord Balarāma to kill the terrible demon Pralamba.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa saved Vraja’s cowherd boys from a forest fire.

  3. 3

    The Lord also saved their animals. His protection extended to both the boys and the animals in their care.

How it feels

Attraction and threat → Joy and trust. The pastoral world becomes the setting for protection and love.

Chapters 20–28 of Canto 10: Forest seasons, flute and Govardhana. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 26: Wonderful Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Garga Muni had said that in the previous three ages Nanda’s boy had manifested Himself in white, red and yellow forms, whereas now, in the Dvāpara age, He had assumed His darkish-blue form, kṛṣṇa-rūpa. Because He descended as the son of Vasudeva, one of His many names is Vāsudeva, and He has innumerable other names indicating His many qualities and activities.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pralambamthe demon named Pralamba
  2. ghāyayitvāarranging to be killed
  3. ugramterrible
  4. balenaby Lord Balarāma
  5. bala-śālināwho is very powerful
  6. amocayatHe liberated
  7. vraja-paśūnthe animals of Vraja
  8. gopānthe cowherd boys
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.26

    In this verse: “saved”, “protection”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.26

    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

What touches you about Kṛṣṇa’s protection of both the boys and their animals?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and spend a moment remembering Kṛṣṇa’s protection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Saves the Boys and AnimalsThis 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 10.26.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.