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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.
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Canto 10 · Chapter 44: The Killing of Kaṁsa
10.44.3910.44.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.44.40

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kaṁsasince 10.44.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्यानुजा भ्रातरोऽष्टौ कङ्कन्यग्रोधकादय: । अभ्यधावन्नतिक्रुद्धा भ्रातुर्निर्वेशकारिण: ॥ ४० ॥

tasyānujā bhrātaro ’ṣṭau

kaṅka-nyagrodhakādayaḥ

abhyadhāvann ati-kruddhā

bhrātur nirveśa-kāriṇaḥ

Translation

Kaṁsa’s eight younger brothers, led by Kaṅka and Nyagrodhaka, then attacked the Lords in a rage, seeking to avenge their brother’s death.

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.

Rage Leads to an Attack

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa had eight younger brothers. Kaṅka and Nyagrodhaka led them.

  2. 2

    The brothers attacked the Lords in a rage. Their anger took the form of direct aggression.

  3. 3

    They sought to avenge their brother’s death. Revenge was the stated purpose of their attack.

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:

Kaṁsa’s eight brothers then attacked Kṛṣṇa, but Balarāma easily killed each of them with His club, just as a lion kills defenseless animals. Kettledrums resounded in the sky as the joyful demigods rained down flowers and chanted the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.44
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof him, Kaṁsa
  2. anujāḥyounger
  3. bhrātaraḥthe brothers
  4. aṣṭaueight
  5. kaṅka-nyagrodhaka-ādayaḥKaṅka, Nyagrodhaka and the others
  6. abhyadhāvanran forward to attack
  7. ati-kruddhāḥinfuriated
  8. bhrātuḥto their brother
  9. nirveśarepayment of the debt
  10. kāriṇaḥdoing
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

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

When I feel hurt, does a desire for revenge begin to guide my actions?

Practice

If anger arises today, pause before acting and notice whether you want to retaliate.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRage Leads to an AttackThis 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 10.44.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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