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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 37: The Killing of the Demons Keśi and Vyoma
10.37.710.37.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.37.8

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

तद्देहत: कर्कटिकाफलोपमाद्

व्यसोरपाकृष्य भुजं महाभुज: ।

अविस्मितोऽयत्नहतारिक: सुरै:

प्रसूनवर्षैर्वर्षद्‌भिरीडित: ॥ ८ ॥

tad-dehataḥ karkaṭikā-phalopamād

vyasor apākṛṣya bhujaṁ mahā-bhujaḥ

avismito ’yatna-hatārikaḥ suraiḥ

prasūna-varṣair varṣadbhir īḍitaḥ

Translation

The mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa withdrew His arm from Keśī’s body, which now appeared like a long karkaṭikā fruit. Without the least display of pride at having so effortlessly killed His enemy, the Lord accepted the demigods’ worship in the form of flowers rained down from above.

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.

Effortless Victory Without Pride

  1. 1

    The mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa withdrew His arm from Keśī’s lifeless body, which resembled a long karkaṭikā fruit.

  2. 2

    The Lord had killed His enemy effortlessly. Yet He showed not the least pride in His victory.

  3. 3

    The demigods rained flowers upon Kṛṣṇa in worship, and He accepted their offering.

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 stood calmly, showing no pride at having killed the demon, as the demigods showered down flowers from the sky and glorified the Lord with prayers. Soon thereafter Nārada Muni, the great sage among the demigods, approached Kṛṣṇa and prayed to Him in various ways, glorifying the Lord’s future pastimes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.37
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-dehataḥfrom Keśī’s body
  2. karkaṭikā-phalaa karkaṭikā fruit
  3. upamātwhich resembled
  4. vyasoḥfrom which the vital airs had departed
  5. apākṛṣyawithdrawing
  6. bhujamHis arm
  7. mahā-bhujaḥthe mighty-armed Lord
  8. avismitaḥwithout undue pride
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.37

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.37

    In this verse: “pride”

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 can you learn from Kṛṣṇa’s complete absence of pride after His victory?

Practice

Complete one small act of devotional service today without seeking praise for it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEffortless Victory Without PrideThis 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 10.37.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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