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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 42: The Breaking of the Sacrificial Bow
10.42.3510.42.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.42.36

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

वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु मल्लतालोत्तरेषु च । मल्ला: स्वलङ्कृता: द‍ृप्ता: सोपाध्याया: समासत ॥ ३६ ॥

vādyamānesu tūryeṣu

malla-tālottareṣu ca

mallāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ dṛptāḥ

sopādhyāyāḥ samāsata

Translation

While the musical instruments loudly played in the rhythmic meters appropriate for wrestling matches, the lavishly ornamented wrestlers proudly entered the arena with their coaches and sat down.

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 Wrestlers Enter with Pride

  1. 1

    Musical instruments played loudly in rhythmic meters appropriate for wrestling matches.

  2. 2

    The lavishly ornamented wrestlers proudly entered the arena.

  3. 3

    Their coaches accompanied them, and the wrestlers took their seats.

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:

Crowds of people from the city and outlying districts entered the arena and took their seats in the lavishly decorated galleries. Kaṁsa, his heart trembling, sat down on the royal dais and invited Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men to come sit in their places, and they did so after offering him their gifts.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.42
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vādyamāneṣuas they were being played
  2. tūryeṣuthe musical instruments
  3. mallasuitable for wrestling
  4. tālawith meters
  5. uttareṣuprominent
  6. caand
  7. mallāḥthe wrestlers
  8. su-alaṅkṛtāḥwell ornamented
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 10.42

    In this verse: “proudly”

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

How do attention and outward appearance affect my sense of pride?

Practice

When you receive attention today, pause and notice whether pride arises.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Wrestlers Enter with 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 10.42.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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