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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 59: The Killing of the Demon Naraka

10.59.15 10.59.17-19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.59.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.59.2-3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तद् भौमसैन्यं भगवान् गदाग्रजो

विचित्रवाजैर्निशितै: शिलीमुखै: ।

निकृत्तबाहूरुशिरोध्रविग्रहं

चकार तर्ह्येव हताश्वकुञ्जरम् ॥ १६ ॥

tad bhauma-sainyaṁ bhagavān gadāgrajo

vicitra-vājair niśitaiḥ śilīmukhaiḥ

nikṛtta-bāhūru-śirodhra-vigrahaṁ

cakāra tarhy eva hatāśva-kuñjaram

Translation

At that moment Lord Gadāgraja shot His sharp arrows at Bhaumāsura’s army. These arrows, displaying variegated feathers, soon reduced that army to a mass of bodies with severed arms, thighs and necks. The Lord similarly killed the opposing horses and elephants.

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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.

The Lord Defeats Bhaumāsura’s Army

1
Lord Gadāgraja shot His sharp arrows at Bhaumāsura’s army.
2
The arrows had variegated feathers and soon struck down the soldiers, severing their arms, thighs and necks.
3
The Lord also killed the opposing horses and elephants. The description shows the decisive defeat of the army.

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 59: The Killing of the Demon Naraka

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Naraka threw his śakti lance at Śrī Kṛṣṇa, but the weapon proved ineffective, and the Lord cut the demon’s entire army to pieces. Finally, with His sharp-edged disc Kṛṣṇa cut off Narakāsura’s head.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.59