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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
10.44.3510.44.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.36

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

तं खड्‌गपाणिं विचरन्तमाशुश्येनं यथा दक्षिणसव्यमम्बरे । समग्रहीद् दुर्विषहोग्रतेजायथोरगं तार्क्ष्यसुत: प्रसह्य ॥ ३६ ॥

taṁ khaḍga-pāṇiṁ vicarantam āśu

śyenaṁ yathā dakṣiṇa-savyam ambare

samagrahīd durviṣahogra-tejā

yathoragaṁ tārkṣya-sutaḥ prasahya

Translation

Sword in hand, Kaṁsa moved quickly from side to side like a hawk in the sky. But Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose fearsome strength is irresistible, powerfully seized the demon just as the son of Tārkṣya might capture a snake.

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.

Kṛṣṇa’s Strength Is Irresistible

  1. 1

    With sword in hand, Kaṁsa moved quickly from side to side. His movements are compared to a hawk in the sky.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa powerfully seized the demon. His fearsome strength is described as irresistible.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa’s capture of Kaṁsa is compared to the son of Tārkṣya capturing a snake. Kaṁsa’s speed and weapon could not prevent his capture.

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:

Because out of fear Kaṁsa had always thought of Kṛṣṇa, after his death he gained the liberation of having a form like the Lord’s. Kaṁsa’s eight brothers then attacked Kṛṣṇa, but Balarāma easily killed each of them with His club, just as a lion kills defenseless animals.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.44
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tamhim, Kaṁsa
  2. khaḍgawith sword
  3. pāṇimin his hand
  4. vicarantammoving about
  5. āśuquickly
  6. śyenama hawk
  7. yathālike
  8. dakṣiṇa-savyamright and left
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 10.44

    In this verse: “fearsome”

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 this verse deepen my appreciation of Kṛṣṇa’s irresistible strength?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering the Lord’s strength as described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Strength Is IrresistibleThis 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 10.44.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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