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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 55: The History of Pradyumna
10.55.1910.55.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.55.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.55.16inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तामापतन्तीं भगवान् प्रद्युम्नो गदया गदाम् ।

अपास्य शत्रवे क्रुद्ध: प्राहिणोत् स्वगदां नृप ॥ २० ॥

tām āpatantīṁ bhagavān

pradyumno gadayā gadām

apāsya śatrave kruddhaḥ

prāhiṇot sva-gadāṁ nṛpa

Translation

As Śambara’s club came flying toward Him, Lord Pradyumna knocked it away with His own. Then, O King, Pradyumna angrily threw His club at the enemy.

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.

Lord Pradyumna Repels the Attack

  1. 1

    Śambara’s club comes flying toward Lord Pradyumna.

  2. 2

    Pradyumna knocks the incoming club away with His own club.

  3. 3

    He then angrily throws His club at the enemy.

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 55: The History of Pradyumna

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Pradyumna went to Śambara and, after angering him with various insults, challenged him to fight, upon which Śambara angrily took up his club and marched outside. The demon tried various magic spells against Pradyumna, but Pradyumna fended off all of them with the Mahā-māyā mantras and then beheaded Śambara with His sword.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.55
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmthat
  2. āpatantīmflying toward Him
  3. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  4. pradyumnaḥPradyumna
  5. gadayāwith His club
  6. gadāmthe club
  7. apāsyadriving off
  8. śatraveat His enemy
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 10.55

    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

What sequence of actions shows Lord Pradyumna meeting the attack?

Practice

Recall the verse in order: the incoming club, its deflection, and Lord Pradyumna’s answering throw.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLord Pradyumna Repels the 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 10.55.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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