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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

10.37.3 10.37.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.4

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

तद् वञ्चयित्वा तमधोक्षजो रुषा

प्रगृह्य दोर्भ्यां परिविध्य पादयो: ।

सावज्ञमुत्सृज्य धनु:शतान्तरे

यथोरगं तार्क्ष्यसुतो व्यवस्थित: ॥ ४ ॥

tad vañcayitvā tam adhokṣajo ruṣā

pragṛhya dorbhyāṁ parividhya pādayoḥ

sāvajñam utsṛjya dhanuḥ-śatāntare

yathoragaṁ tārkṣya-suto vyavasthitaḥ

Translation

But the transcendental Lord dodged Keśī’s blow and then with His arms angrily seized the demon by the legs, whirled him around in the air and contemptuously threw him the distance of one hundred bow-lengths, just as Garuḍa might throw a snake. Lord Kṛṣṇa then stood there.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Transcendental Lord Overpowers Keśī

1
The transcendental Lord dodged Keśī’s blow. He then angrily seized the demon’s legs with His arms.
2
Kṛṣṇa whirled Keśī through the air and contemptuously threw him one hundred bow-lengths away.
3
The translation compares this to Garuḍa throwing a snake. After casting the demon aside, Lord Kṛṣṇa stood there.

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