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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 58: Kṛṣṇa Marries Five Princesses
10.58.5310.58.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.58.54

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 10.58.41inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तानस्यत: शरव्रातान् बन्धुप्रियकृदर्जुन: ।

गाण्डीवी कालयामास सिंह: क्षुद्रमृगानिव ॥ ५४ ॥

tān asyataḥ śara-vrātān

bandhu-priya-kṛd arjunaḥ

gāṇḍīvī kālayām āsa

siṁhaḥ kṣudra-mṛgān iva

Translation

Arjuna, wielder of the Gāṇḍīva bow, was always eager to please his friend Kṛṣṇa, and thus he drove back those opponents, who were shooting torrents of arrows at the Lord. He did this just as a lion drives away insignificant animals.

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.

Act to Please Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Arjuna was always eager to please his friend Kṛṣṇa. This desire moved him to act on the Lord’s behalf.

  2. 2

    Wielding the Gāṇḍīva bow, Arjuna drove back the opponents who were shooting torrents of arrows at the Lord.

  3. 3

    His success is compared to a lion driving away insignificant animals. Arjuna used his strength in service to Kṛṣṇa.

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 58: Kṛṣṇa Marries Five Princesses

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

King Nagnajit duly presented his daughter to the Lord, together with a dowry of abundant gifts, and the Lord took Satyā onto His chariot for the journey back to Dvārakā. Just then the rival kings who had been defeated by the bulls tried to attack Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.58
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tānthem
  2. asyataḥthrowing
  3. śaraof arrows
  4. vrātānmultitudes
  5. bandhuhis friend (Lord Kṛṣṇa)
  6. priyato please
  7. kṛtacting
  8. arjunaḥArjuna
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.58

    In this verse: “friend”

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 can I use one of my abilities to please Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and do it with the intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayAct to Please KṛṣṇaThis 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 10.58.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.