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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 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow
10.42.1410.42.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.15

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.42.12inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत: पौरान् पृच्छमानो धनुष: स्थानमच्युत: । तस्मिन् प्रविष्टो दद‍ृशे धनुरैन्द्रमिवाद्भ‍ुतम् ॥ १५ ॥

tataḥ paurān pṛcchamāno

dhanuṣaḥ sthānam acyutaḥ

tasmin praviṣṭo dadṛśe

dhanur aindram ivādbhutam

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa then asked the local people where the arena was in which the bow sacrifice would take place. When He went there He saw the amazing bow, which resembled Lord Indra’s.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Approaches the Sacrificial Bow

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa asked the local people where the bow sacrifice would take place.

  2. 2

    He then entered the arena they had described.

  3. 3

    There He saw an amazing bow that resembled Lord Indra’s.

How it feels

Anxiety and conflict → Liberation and joy. Heroic victory is complicated by separation from Vraja.

Chapters 39–45 of Canto 10: Mathurā, Kaṁsa and reunion with parents. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa asked where the bow sacrifice was to take place, and when He arrived at the arena He saw the wonderful bow, which resembled Lord Indra’s. Despite the guards’ protests, Kṛṣṇa forcibly picked up the bow, easily strung it and in an instant broke it in half, producing an ear-splitting sound that filled the heavens and struck terror in the heart of Kaṁsa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. paurānfrom the city residents
  3. pṛcchamānaḥinquiring about
  4. dhanuṣaḥof the bow
  5. sthānamthe place
  6. acyutaḥthe infallible Supreme Lord
  7. tasminthere
  8. praviṣṭaḥentering
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 do you notice as you follow Kṛṣṇa’s actions step by step?

Practice

Recall the three actions in order: Kṛṣṇa asked, entered and saw the bow.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Approaches the Sacrificial BowThis 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 10.42.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.