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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 50: Kṛṣṇa Establishes the City of Dvārakā
10.50.2210.50.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.50.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.50.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गृह्णन् निशङ्गादथ सन्दधच्छरान्

विकृष्य मुञ्चन् शितबाणपूगान् ।

निघ्नन् रथान् कुञ्जरवाजिपत्तीन्

निरन्तरं यद्वदलातचक्रम् ॥ २३ ॥

gṛhṇan niśaṅgād atha sandadhac charān

vikṛṣya muñcan śita-bāṇa-pūgān

nighnan rathān kuñjara-vāji-pattīn

nirantaraṁ yadvad alāta-cakram

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa took arrows from His quiver, fixed them on the bowstring, pulled back, and released endless torrents of sharp shafts, which struck the enemy’s chariots, elephants, horses and infantrymen. The Lord shooting His arrows resembled a blazing circle of fire.

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 Unceasing Prowess in Action

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa takes arrows from His quiver, fixes them on His bowstring, draws back and releases them.

  2. 2

    Endless torrents of sharp arrows strike the enemy’s chariots, elephants, horses and infantrymen.

  3. 3

    As the Lord shoots, He resembles a blazing circle of fire. This image conveys the continuous movement of His shooting.

How it feels

Yearning and danger → Marriage and reciprocity. A wider range of divine relationships appears.

Chapters 50–59 of Canto 10: Dvārakā, Rukmiṇī and royal rescues. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 50: Kṛṣṇa Establishes the City of Dvārakā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Then Kṛṣṇa twanged His bow and started to rain down a torrent of arrows upon the enemy soldiers. Soon Jarāsandha’s unfathomable army had been annihilated.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.50
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gṛhṇantaking
  2. niśaṅgātfrom His quiver
  3. athathen
  4. sandadhatfixing
  5. śarānarrows
  6. vikṛṣyapulling back
  7. muñcanreleasing
  8. śitasharp
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.50

    In this verse: “infantrymen”

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 the image of a blazing circle of fire shape your appreciation of Kṛṣṇa’s prowess?

Practice

Spend one minute recalling the sequence of Kṛṣṇa’s actions, using the verse’s description to focus your attention on Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Unceasing Prowess in ActionThis 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 10.50.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.