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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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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 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon
10.36.2510.36.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.36.26

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 10.36.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आरभ्यतां धनुर्यागश्चतुर्दश्यां यथाविधि ।

विशसन्तु पशून्मेध्यान् भूतराजाय मीढुषे ॥ २६ ॥

ārabhyatāṁ dhanur-yāgaś

caturdaśyāṁ yathā-vidhi

viśasantu paśūn medhyān

bhūta-rājāya mīḍhuṣe

Translation

Commence the bow sacrifice on the Caturdaśī day in accordance with the relevant Vedic injunctions. In ritual slaughter offer the appropriate kinds of animals to the magnanimous Lord Śiva.

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.

Instructions for the Bow Sacrifice

  1. 1

    The bow sacrifice is ordered to begin on the Caturdaśī day.

  2. 2

    The ceremony is to follow the relevant Vedic injunctions.

  3. 3

    The instruction includes offering appropriate kinds of animals in ritual slaughter to the magnanimous Lord Śiva. This verse describes the ordered ceremony.

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 36: The Slaying of Ariṣṭā, the Bull Demon

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

It was out of fear of Kaṁsa that Vasudeva had put the two boys under Nanda’s care. Furthermore, said Nārada, Kaṁsa would meet his death at Their hands.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.36
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ārabhyatāmshould be commenced
  2. dhanuḥ-yāgaḥthe bow sacrifice
  3. caturdaśyāmon the fourteenth day of the month
  4. yathā-vidhiin accordance with Vedic injunctions
  5. viśasantuoffer in sacrifice
  6. paśūnanimals
  7. medhyānwhich are fit to be offered
  8. bhūta-rājāyato Lord Śiva, the lord of ghostly spirits
  9. mīḍhuṣethe giver of benedictions
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

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

Am I carefully distinguishing what this verse describes from a personal instruction to me?

Practice

Reread the translation and identify the ceremony’s prescribed day, rules, and recipient.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayInstructions for the Bow SacrificeThis 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 10.36.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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