1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990

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
10.42.1710.42.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.18

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

धनुषो भज्यमानस्य शब्द: खं रोदसी दिश: । पूरयामास यं श्रुत्वा कंसस्त्रासमुपागमत् ॥ १८ ॥

dhanuṣo bhajyamānasya

śabdaḥ khaṁ rodasī diśaḥ

pūrayām āsa yaṁ śrutvā

kaṁsas trāsam upāgamat

Translation

The sound of the bow’s breaking filled the earth and sky in all directions. Upon hearing it, Kaṁsa was struck with terror.

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 Breaking Bow Terrifies Kaṁsa

  1. 1

    The breaking bow produced a tremendous sound.

  2. 2

    That sound filled the earth and sky in every direction.

  3. 3

    When Kaṁsa heard it, he was struck with terror.

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. dhanuṣaḥof the bow
  2. bhajyamānasyawhich was breaking
  3. śabdaḥthe sound
  4. khamthe earth
  5. rodasīthe sky
  6. diśaḥand all the directions
  7. pūrayām āsafilled
  8. yamwhich
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

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 stands out to you about the sound’s reach and Kaṁsa’s response?

Practice

Read the verse aloud, then pause to reflect on the force of Kṛṣṇa’s action.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Breaking Bow Terrifies KaṁsaThis 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 10.42.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories