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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma
10.37.510.37.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.6

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

दन्ता निपेतुर्भगवद्भ‍ुजस्पृश-

स्ते केशिनस्तप्तमयस्पृशो यथा ।

बाहुश्च तद्देहगतो महात्मनो

यथामय: संववृधे उपेक्षित: ॥ ६ ॥

dantā nipetur bhagavad-bhuja-spṛśas

te keśinas tapta-maya-spṛśo yathā

bāhuś ca tad-deha-gato mahātmano

yathāmayaḥ saṁvavṛdhe upekṣitaḥ

Translation

Keśī’s teeth immediately fell out when they touched the Supreme Lord’s arm, which to the demon felt as hot as molten iron. Within Keśī’s body the Supreme Personality’s arm then expanded greatly, like a diseased stomach swelling because of neglect.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Tender Arm Overwhelms the Demon

  1. 1

    Keśī’s teeth immediately fell out when they touched the Supreme Lord’s arm. To the demon, it felt as hot as molten iron.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality’s arm expanded greatly inside Keśī’s body. The translation compares this expansion to a diseased stomach swelling through neglect.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Kṛṣṇa’s arm is more tender and cooling than a blue lotus. Yet to Keśī it felt extremely hot, as if made of lightning bolts.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī points out that although Lord Kṛṣṇa’s arm is more tender and cooling than a blue lotus, to Keśī it felt extremely hot as if made of lightning bolts.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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:

The Lord then thrust His left arm into the horse demon’s mouth, and as Keśī tried to bite the arm, it felt like a red-hot iron rod. Kṛṣṇa’s arm expanded more and more, finally choking the demon, and in extreme agony Keśī gave up his life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.37
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dantāḥthe teeth
  2. nipetuḥfell out
  3. bhagavatof the Supreme Lord
  4. bhujathe arm
  5. spṛśaḥtouching
  6. tethey
  7. keśinaḥof Keśī
  8. tapta-mayared-hot (iron)
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

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 strikes you about the contrast between Kṛṣṇa’s tender arm and Keśī’s experience of it?

Practice

Read the purport once more, reflecting on both the tenderness and power of Kṛṣṇa’s arm.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Tender Arm Overwhelms the DemonThis 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 10.37.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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