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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 55: The History of Pradyumna
10.55.2010.55.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.55.21

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

स च मायां समाश्रित्य दैतेयीं मयदर्शितम् ।

मुमुचेऽस्‍त्रमयं वर्षं कार्ष्णौ वैहायसोऽसुर: ॥ २१ ॥

sa ca māyāṁ samāśritya

daiteyīṁ maya-darśitam

mumuce ’stra-mayaṁ varṣaṁ

kārṣṇau vaihāyaso ’suraḥ

Translation

Resorting to the black magic of the Daityas taught to him by Maya Dānava, Śambara suddenly appeared in the sky and released a downpour of weapons upon Kṛṣṇa’s son.

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.

Śambara Attacks Kṛṣṇa’s Son With Magic

  1. 1

    Śambara resorts to the black magic of the Daityas.

  2. 2

    Maya Dānava had taught him this magic.

  3. 3

    Śambara suddenly appears in the sky and releases a downpour of weapons upon Kṛṣṇa’s son.

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:

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. At that moment Ratidevī appeared in the sky and took Pradyumna away to Dvārakā.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.55
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe, Śambara
  2. caand
  3. māyāmmagic
  4. samāśrityaresorting to
  5. daiteyīmdemoniac
  6. mayaby Maya Dānava
  7. darśitamshown
  8. mumucehe released
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.55

    In this verse: “maya”

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 Śambara change his method of attacking Kṛṣṇa’s son?

Practice

Reread the verse and note the source of Śambara’s magic, his position, and the form of his attack.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayŚambara Attacks Kṛṣṇa’s Son With MagicThis 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 10.55.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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