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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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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 43: Kṛṣṇa Kills the Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa
10.43.1510.43.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.43.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.43.4inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

वृतौ गोपै: कतिपयैर्बलदेवजनार्दनौ । रङ्गं विविशतू राजन् गजदन्तवरायुधौ ॥ १६ ॥

vṛtau gopaiḥ katipayair

baladeva-janārdanau

raṅgaṁ viviśatū rājan

gaja-danta-varāyudhau

Translation

My dear King, Lord Baladeva and Lord Janārdana, each carrying one of the elephant’s tusks as His chosen weapon, entered the arena with several cowherd boys.

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 Lords Enter With Their Cowherd Companions

  1. 1

    Lord Baladeva and Lord Janārdana entered the wrestling arena together.

  2. 2

    Each carried one of the elephant’s tusks as His chosen weapon.

  3. 3

    Several cowherd boys accompanied the two Lords into the arena.

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 43: Kṛṣṇa Kills the Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Sprinkled with the elephant’s blood and carrying one of his tusks on His shoulder as a weapon, Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared unprecedentedly beautiful as He entered the wrestling arena. There the various classes of people saw Him in different ways, according to their specific relationship with Him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.43
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vṛtausurrounded
  2. gopaiḥby cowherd boys
  3. katipayaiḥseveral
  4. baladeva-janārdanauBalarāma and Kṛṣṇa
  5. raṅgamthe arena
  6. viviśatuḥentered
  7. rājanO King (Parīkṣit)
  8. gaja-dantathe elephant’s tusks
  9. varachosen
  10. āyudhauwhose weapons
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.43

    In this verse: “cowherd boys”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 10.43

    In this verse: “king”

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 about the Lords entering with both weapons and cowherd companions?

Practice

Read the verse aloud once, remembering the two Lords entering with the cowherd boys.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lords Enter With Their Cowherd CompanionsThis 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 10.43.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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