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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

10.56.24 10.56.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.56.25

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

कृष्णमुष्टिविनिष्पातनिष्पिष्टाङ्गोरुबन्धन: ।

क्षीणसत्त्व: स्विन्नगात्रस्तमाहातीव विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥

kṛṣṇa-muṣṭi-viniṣpāta

niṣpiṣṭāṅgoru bandhanaḥ

kṣīṇa-sattvaḥ svinna-gātras

tam āhātīva vismitaḥ

Translation

His bulging muscles pummeled by the blows of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s fists, his strength faltering and his limbs perspiring, Jāmbavān, greatly astonished, finally spoke to the Lord.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Jāmbavān’s Strength Falters Before Kṛṣṇa

1
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s fists pummeled Jāmbavān’s bulging muscles.
2
Jāmbavān’s strength faltered, and his limbs perspired.
3
Greatly astonished, Jāmbavān finally spoke to the Lord.

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:

For twenty-eight days continuously the two fought, until finally Jāmbavān grew weak from the Lord’s blows. Now understanding that Kṛṣṇa was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Jāmbavān began to praise Him.

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