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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 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma
10.37.2810.37.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.29

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.37.24inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गिरिदर्यां विनिक्षिप्य नीतं नीतं महासुर: ।

शिलया पिदधे द्वारं चतु:पञ्चावशेषिता: ॥ २९ ॥

giri-daryāṁ vinikṣipya

nītaṁ nītaṁ mahāsuraḥ

śilayā pidadhe dvāraṁ

catuḥ-pañcāvaśeṣitāḥ

Translation

Gradually the great demon abducted more and more of the cowherd boys and cast them into a mountain cave, which he sealed shut with a boulder. Finally only four or five boys acting as sheep remained in the game.

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.

The Boys Are Trapped in a Cave

  1. 1

    The great demon gradually abducted more and more cowherd boys.

  2. 2

    He cast the boys into a mountain cave and sealed its entrance with a boulder.

  3. 3

    Finally, only four or five boys acting as sheep remained in the game. The repeated abductions had left nearly all of them trapped.

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 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He abducted a few cowherd boys at a time and threw them into a mountain cave, keeping them there by blocking the entrance with a boulder. Gradually Vyomāsura abducted all but four or five cowherd boys.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.37
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. giriof a mountain
  2. daryāmin a cave
  3. vinikṣipyathrowing
  4. nītam nītamgradually bringing them
  5. mahā-asuraḥthe great demon
  6. śilayāwith a stone
  7. pidadhehe blocked
  8. dvāramthe entrance
  9. catuḥ-pañcafour or five
  10. avaśeṣitāḥremained
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.37

    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 do I notice when I slow down and consider the danger these boys faced?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly, noting how the danger grew with each abduction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Boys Are Trapped in a CaveThis 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 10.37.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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