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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 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
10.34.3010.34.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The serpentsince 10.34.12-13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अविदूर इवाभ्येत्य शिरस्तस्य दुरात्मन: ।

जहार मुष्टिनैवाङ्ग सहचूडमणिं विभु: ॥ ३१ ॥

avidūra ivābhyetya

śiras tasya durātmanaḥ

jahāra muṣṭinaivāṅga

saha-cūḍa-maṇiṁ vibhuḥ

Translation

The mighty Lord overtook Śaṅkhacūḍa from a great distance as if from nearby, my dear King, and then with His fist the Lord removed the wicked demon’s head, together with his crest jewel.

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.

Distance Cannot Hinder the Mighty Lord

  1. 1

    The mighty Lord overtook Śaṅkhacūḍa from a great distance as if he were nearby.

  2. 2

    With His fist, the Lord removed the wicked demon’s head.

  3. 3

    The demon’s crest jewel was removed together with his head.

How it feels

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa chased after him, swiftly approached him and with a blow of His fist removed Śaṅkhacūḍa’s jewel, together with his head. Then Kṛṣṇa brought the jewel back and presented it to Lord Baladeva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.34
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. avidūrenearby
  2. ivaas if
  3. abhyetyacoming toward
  4. śiraḥthe head
  5. tasyaof him
  6. durātmanaḥthe wicked one
  7. jahāratook away
  8. muṣṭināwith His fist
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.34

    In this verse: “king”

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 Lord’s effortless crossing of the distance reveal His might?

Practice

Reread the verse and spend a quiet moment remembering the mighty Lord with reverence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDistance Cannot Hinder the Mighty LordThis 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 10.34.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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