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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
10.43.2910.43.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.43.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The peoplesince 10.43.23inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अयं चास्याग्रज: श्रीमान्‍राम: कमललोचन: । प्रलम्बो निहतो येन वत्सको ये बकादय: ॥ ३० ॥

ayaṁ cāsyāgrajaḥ śrīmān

rāmaḥ kamala-locanaḥ

pralambo nihato yena

vatsako ye bakādayaḥ

Translation

This lotus-eyed elder brother of His, Lord Balarāma, is the proprietor of all transcendental opulences. He has killed Pralamba, Vatsaka, Baka and other demons.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Reports of the Lords Require Care

  1. 1

    Lord Balarāma is Kṛṣṇa’s lotus-eyed elder brother and the proprietor of all transcendental opulences.

  2. 2

    The people credited Him with killing Pralamba, Vatsaka, Baka and other demons. The purport explains that two of the demons mentioned were actually killed by Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    As news of Kṛṣṇa’s exploits spread among ordinary people, the facts became somewhat muddled. The purport notes the same tendency in modern newspapers.

Key points from the purport
  • In fact two of the demons mentioned here were killed by Kṛṣṇa, not Balarāma.
  • The reason for the mistake is that as news of Kṛṣṇa’s exploits spread among ordinary people, the facts became somewhat muddled.
  • The same tendency can be observed in modern newspapers.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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. ayamthis
  2. caand
  3. asyaHis
  4. agra-jaḥelder brother
  5. śrī-manthe possessor of all opulences
  6. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  7. kamala-locanaḥthe lotus-eyed
  8. pralambaḥthe demon Pralamba
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

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 can you take greater care when repeating what you have heard about the Lords?

Practice

Check one detail against the supplied translation and purport before sharing it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReports of the Lords Require CareThis 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 10.43.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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