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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 56: The Syamantaka Jewel

10.56.17 10.56.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.56.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.56.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

हतं प्रसेनं अश्वं च वीक्ष्य केशरिणा वने ।

तं चाद्रिपृष्ठे निहतमृक्षेण दद‍ृशुर्जना: ॥ १८ ॥

hataṁ prasenaṁ aśvaṁ ca

vīkṣya keśariṇā vane

taṁ cādri-pṛṣṭhe nihatam

ṛkṣeṇa dadṛśur janāḥ

Translation

In the forest they found Prasena and his horse, both killed by the lion. Further on they found the lion dead on a mountainside, slain by Ṛkṣa [Jāmbavān].

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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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Following the Trail Reveals What Happened

1
In the forest, they found Prasena and his horse dead.
2
Both had been killed by the lion.
3
Further on, they found the lion dead on a mountainside, slain by Ṛkṣa, Jāmbavān.

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

Chapter 56: The Syamantaka Jewel

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Following his path, they eventually found his body and that of his horse lying on the road. Further on they saw the body of the lion Jāmbavān had killed.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.56