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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.37.1-2 10.37.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.37.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स तं निशाम्याभिमुखो मुखेन खं

पिबन्निवाभ्यद्रवदत्यमर्षण: ।

जघान पद्‌भ्यामरविन्दलोचनं

दुरासदश्चण्डजवो दुरत्यय: ॥ ३ ॥

sa taṁ niśāmyābhimukho makhena khaṁ

pibann ivābhyadravad aty-amarṣaṇaḥ

jaghāna padbhyām aravinda-locanaṁ

durāsadaś caṇḍa-javo duratyayaḥ

Translation

Seeing the Lord standing before him, Keśī ran toward Him in extreme rage, his mouth gaping as if to swallow up the sky. Rushing with furious speed, the unconquerable and unapproachable horse demon tried to strike the lotus-eyed Lord with his two front legs.

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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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Keśī’s Rage Before the Lotus-Eyed Lord

1
Seeing the Lord before him, Keśī rushed toward Him in extreme rage.
2
The demon’s mouth gaped as if he would swallow the sky. His attack was fierce and swift.
3
The horse demon, described as unconquerable and unapproachable, tried to strike the lotus-eyed Lord with his two front legs.

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

Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Keśī charged Kṛṣṇa and tried to strike Him with his front legs, but the Lord seized them, whirled the demon around several times, and then threw him a distance of one hundred bow-lengths. Keśī remained unconscious for some time.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.37