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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow
10.42.1510.42.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.16

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

पुरुषैर्बहुभिर्गुप्तमर्चितं परमर्द्धिमत् । वार्यमाणो नृभि: कृष्ण: प्रसह्य धनुराददे ॥ १६ ॥

puruṣair bahubhir guptam

arcitaṁ paramarddhimat

vāryamāṇo nṛbhiḥ kṛṣṇaḥ

prasahya dhanur ādade

Translation

That most opulent bow was guarded by a large company of men, who were respectfully worshiping it. Kṛṣṇa pushed His way forward and, despite the guards’ attempts to stop Him, picked it up.

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.

The Guards Cannot Stop Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The bow was most opulent and guarded by a large company of men.

  2. 2

    The men were respectfully worshiping the bow.

  3. 3

    Despite the guards’ attempts to stop Him, Kṛṣṇa pushed forward and picked it up. Their resistance did not prevent His action.

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:

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. The many guards attacked Kṛṣṇa, crying out “Seize Him!
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. puruṣaiḥby men
  2. bahubhiḥmany
  3. guptamguarded
  4. arcitambeing worshiped
  5. paramasupreme
  6. ṛddhiopulence
  7. matpossessing
  8. vāryamāṇaḥwarded off
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “guarded”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “worshiping”

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 does the contrast between the many guards and Kṛṣṇa’s action reveal to you?

Practice

Pause during your devotional service today to remember that the guards could not stop Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Guards Cannot Stop KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.42.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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