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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

10.44.33 10.44.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Kaṁsasince 10.44.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं विकत्थमाने वै कंसे प्रकुपितोऽव्यय: । लघिम्नोत्पत्य तरसा मञ्चमुत्तुङ्गमारुहत् ॥ ३४ ॥

evaṁ vikatthamāne vai

kaṁse prakupito ’vyayaḥ

laghimnotpatya tarasā

mañcam uttuṅgam āruhat

Translation

As Kaṁsa thus raved so audaciously, the infallible Lord Kṛṣṇa, intensely angry, quickly and easily jumped up onto the high royal dais.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Infallible Lord Acts With Ease

1
Kaṁsa continued to rave audaciously. Lord Kṛṣṇa became intensely angry.
2
Kṛṣṇa quickly jumped onto the high royal dais. He reached it with ease.
3
The translation calls Kṛṣṇa the infallible Lord. His swift action is presented together with His unfailing nature.

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

Chapter 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Kṛṣṇa became furious when He heard Kaṁsa speak this way, and He instantly leapt onto the lofty royal dais. He grabbed Kaṁsa by the hair, hurled him down onto the floor of the wrestling ring and threw Himself on top of him.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.44