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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 43: Kṛṣṇa Kills the Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa
10.43.1710.43.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.43.18

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

हतं कुवलयापीडं द‍ृष्ट्वा तावपि दुर्जयौ । कंसो मनस्यपि तदा भृशमुद्विविजे नृप ॥ १८ ॥

hataṁ kuvalayāpīḍaṁ

dṛṣṭvā tāv api durjayau

kaṁso manasy api tadā

bhṛśam udvivije nṛpa

Translation

When Kaṁsa saw that Kuvalayāpīḍa was dead and the two brothers were invincible, he was overwhelmed with anxiety, O King.

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 Invincible Brothers Overwhelm Kaṁsa With Anxiety

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa saw that Kuvalayāpīḍa was dead.

  2. 2

    He also saw that the two brothers were invincible.

  3. 3

    Confronted with their invincibility, Kaṁsa became overwhelmed with anxiety.

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:

When King Kaṁsa heard how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had killed Kuvalayāpīḍa, he realized They were invincible and became filled with anxiety. The members of the audience, on the other hand, became joyful as they reminded one another about the Lords’ amazing pastimes.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.43
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hatamkilled
  2. kuvalayāpīḍamthe elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa
  3. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  4. tauthe two of Them, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma
  5. apiand
  6. durjayauinvincible
  7. kaṁsaḥKing Kaṁsa
  8. manasiin his mind
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

  • 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 contrast do you notice between the brothers’ invincibility and Kaṁsa’s anxiety?

Practice

Write one sentence describing the contrast between the two brothers and Kaṁsa in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Invincible Brothers Overwhelm Kaṁsa With AnxietyThis 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 10.43.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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