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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 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa
10.44.24-2510.44.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.44.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत: कूटमनुप्राप्तं राम: प्रहरतां वर: । अवधील्लीलया राजन्सावज्ञं वाममुष्टिना ॥ २६ ॥

tataḥ kūṭam anuprāptaṁ

rāmaḥ praharatāṁ varaḥ

avadhīl līlayā rājan

sāvajñaṁ vāma-muṣṭinā

Translation

Confronted next by the wrestler Kūṭa, Lord Balarāma, the best of fighters, playfully and nonchalantly killed him with His left fist, 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.

Balarāma’s Effortless Victory

  1. 1

    The wrestler Kūṭa next confronted Lord Balarāma.

  2. 2

    The translation describes Balarāma as the best of fighters.

  3. 3

    Balarāma killed Kūṭa with His left fist, playfully and nonchalantly. The victory required no strain on His part.

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 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thereupon the wrestlers named Kūṭa, Śala and Tośala came forward, but Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma easily killed them with the blows of Their fists and feet. The remaining wrestlers, fearing for their lives, all fled.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.44
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. kūṭamthe demonic wrestler Kūṭa
  3. anuprāptamappearing on the scene
  4. rāmaḥLord Balarāma
  5. praharatāmof fighters
  6. varaḥthe best
  7. avadhītkilled
  8. līlayāplayfully
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 10.44

    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

How does Balarāma’s effortless victory shape my appreciation of Him?

Practice

Take a moment today to remember Lord Balarāma as the best of fighters.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBalarāma’s Effortless VictoryThis 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 10.44.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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